Carlo Mazzone dead at 86: Gianluigi Buffon leads tributes as icon of Italian football passes away

LEGENDARY Italian football manager Carlo Mazzone has died aged 86.

World Cup winner Gianluigi Buffon has led the tributes for Mazzone.

Mazzone managed the likes of Roma, Bologna and Brescia during his storied career.

Paying tribute to the legendary former boss, Buffon wrote on Twitter: “Carlo Mazzone represents a football icon that has captured my heart. The overwhelming passion he poured into the teams was truly unique and unrepeatable.

“As proof of his magnificent temperament, I have a fantastic anecdote on the sidelines of a Parma-Brescia finished 3-0.

“On the score of 1 to 0 and 15 minutes from the end I made a triple save that saved the result.

“At the end of the race he met me and in the middle of about thirty people and he told me

“To Buffon… what have I done to you?? Today you looked like Lazarus to me… who always got up!

“The news of his passing leaves a void that cannot be filled, but his impact will remain forever.”

A centre-back in his playing days, Mazzone played for Roma, Latina, SPAL, Siena and Ascoli during the 1950s and 60s.

He embarked on a 38-year managerial career with Ascoli in 1968, going on to manage Fiorentina, Catanzaro, Bologna, Lecce, Pescara, Cagliari, Roma, Napoli, Perugia and Brescia.

Mazzone finished his managerial career with Livorno in 2006.

Paying tribute to Mazzone, Lecce posted a classic clip of their old boss running down the touchline in sheer delight.

During his time managing Roma, Mazzone forged a special bond with up and coming superstar Francesco Totti.

Wishing him a happy 80th birthday a few years ago, Roma legend Totti said to Mazzone: “Mister, we met when I was 16-years-old, I was a kid!

Who knows how my career and my life would’ve gone if you hadn’t been there?

Francesco Totti on Carlo Mazzone

“But you helped me to grow as a man and as a player. You defended me, pushed me onwards and made sure I had my head on my shoulders at a difficult age.

“Who knows how my career and my life would’ve gone if you hadn’t been there… But you were there and I feel fortunate, honoured and proud to have known such a wonderful person as you and I will never stop thanking you!

“We could do with many more Carletto Mazzone’s in today’s football! Happy birthday for your ‘first’ 80 years!”

Each Serie A match this weekend will feature a pre-game minute’s silence in Mazzone’s memory.

Roma wrote on social media this afternoon: “Hi Mister.

“We will always love you immensely.

“Go Rome!”