Legendary AC Milan defender and Italy coach Cesare Maldini dies
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Former AC Milan defender and Italy coach Cesare Maldini has died aged 84.
His bond to Milan was unbreakable... The club will always remember fondly his charisma, kindness and warm smile
During his time with Milan, Maldini won four Serie A titles and was skipper of the side in 1963, when the Rossoneri became the first Italian team to win the European Cup.
He put in more than 400 appearances for AC Milan in all and managed the north Italian club for two years from 1972.
Goodbye dear Cesare. Today the world loses a great man and we lose a page of our history. You will be missed. pic.twitter.com/2OFgVCQiaz
— AC Milan (@acmilan) 3 April 2016
Maldini was assistant coach when Italy notched notched up its 1982 World Cup triumph in Spain.
He led the Azzurri to the quarter finals in France 16 years later, where they were beaten by the hosts on penalties.
Maldini took the reigns of Paraguay for the 2002 World Cup, but they didn’t progress and he returned to work as a scout for AC Milan.
“His bond to Milan was unbreakable and what’s more, there would be a second generation with his son Paolo following in his footsteps and enjoying unrivalled success at the club,” AC Milan said in a statement.
“The club president Silvio Berlusconi and the rest of the club will always remember fondly his charisma, kindness and warm smile,” it added.
#ForzaMilan#Milan Milan great Cesare Maldini dies aged 84 https://t.co/p1mvRF82oCpic.twitter.com/QxiiC1fv0A
— AC Milan Fans (@ACMilanNewsOnly) 3 April 2016