Italian football mourns the loss of one of its most original and unconventional thinkers. Giovanni Galleon he died at the age of 84 in Udine, where he had been hospitalized for some time.
With him goes not only a coach capable of securing four promotions to Serie A, but above all a man who interpreted football as a form of intellectual freedom, an aesthete of the game who always preferred beauty to results.
The Gospel According to Galeone: Aesthetics and Courage
Born in Naples in 1941, Galeone transformed the bench into a lecture hall. His credo was 4-3-3, a formation that in his hands became a manifesto of proactive and attacking football. For him, the team had to attack, the ball had to travel quickly, and the game had to be bold and thoughtful.
His teams weren't content to simply win; they had to entertain, surprise, and display a strong personality. This philosophy was summed up in one of his most famous and iconic quotes: "The goalkeeper is optional," signifying how important it was for him to build the play from the defense, without fear.
The epic of Pescara: a city at its feet
His name is inextricably linked to Pescara, which he led to two historic promotions to Serie A (1986-87 and 1991-92).
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The public's love was such that the city's railway station was inaugurated in his presence, a tribute that testifies to the social, as well as sporting, impact of his work.
Master of life and of the bench
Galeone was a mentor to many coaches. Massimiliano Allegri always called him "my role model," emphasizing how he learned not only tactical concepts from him, but also a way of managing a team and reading matches.
Marco Giampaolo and Gasperini himself also inherited his philosophical legacy, based on the belief that football is a language and that form matters as much as the result. He loved words more than tactics, paradox more than convention, captivating players with his speeches and always defending them publicly.
An uncompromising character
A direct and ironic media personality, he never spared criticism of presidents and colleagues. His relationships with corporate executives were often stormy, such as with Scibilia in Pescara or with Vulcano.
Gaucci in Perugia, demonstrating a strong character and unwillingness to compromise. In recent years, despite retiring in 2013, he continued to comment on modern football with clarity, remaining true to his vision: the game as thought, aesthetics, and risk. Galeone leaves behind not a trophy cabinet, but something more precious: the belief that football can be a form of joy, an expression of intelligence, and an act of freedom.
Comments (1)
It's sad to hear of the passing of Galeone, a great Italian footballer who taught us so much not only about the game but also about life. His vision for football was unique, and he will surely be missed by all.