The soccer world at the funeral of Giovanni Galeone

A large representation from the world of soccer and institutions today paid their last respects to Giovanni Galeone, a coach born in 1941 who died last Nov. 2 at the age of 84, and whose funeral was held in Udine Cathedral.

For the municipality of the Friulian city, mayor Alberto Felice De Toni and deputy mayor Alessandro Venanzi were present, and for the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region, deputy governor and councillor for sports and culture Mario Anzil.

The funeral was also attended by Pescara City Council’sports councillor Patrizia Martelli and other representatives of the Abruzzo city to whose team Galeone was very close. Also in the cathedral were the banners of the municipalities of Udine and Pescara.

“Today Udine says goodbye to a man who has left a profound mark, not only in soccer, but also in the way of thinking and living sports – said Udine Mayor De Toni – Giovanni Galeone was the’architect of Udinese&#8217s last promotion to Serie A. Since then, our team has never left the top division, preserving a legacy that still speaks of him, his vision, his ability to innovate”.

In the cathedral there were Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri, Adriano Galliani, a former Milan and Monza manager, Edy Reja and Marco Gianpaolo, and many former players who had crossed paths with Galeone&#8217s during their careers. Among them were Rocco Pagano, Giacomo Di Cara, Andrea Carnevale, Alessio Scarchilli, Paolo Miano, Gianfranco Cinello and Franco Bonora.

“Galeone was an inspirer – said Udinese general manager Franco Collavino during the funeral rite – and he wrote fundamental pages of history for our club, above all that of the promotion to Serie A in the 1994/1995 season and the salvation achieved on his return to the bianconeri bench in the 2005/2006 season”.