6. Roberto Mancini And Gianluca Vialli (Sampdoria 1984-92)
Combined Appearances - 554 Goals - 231 Roberto Mancini and Gianluca Vialli are both well known to followers of English football, and both also as managers, with Vialli enjoying spells at Chelsea and Watford, and Mancini at Manchester City. Neither probably enjoyed the way their English adventures ended, both eventually getting the sack, but they probably meet up now and then for a cappucino to discuss their careers, as they enjoyed an incredibly fruitful strike partnership at Sampdoria. Italian football is famed for its tight defences, not its goal machine strikers, but Vialli, in the 1988-89 season, managed a stunning 33 goals in all competitions. He was the more prolific of the two Italians, but Mancini had the greater longevity at Sampdoria, spending a nearly career-spanning fifteen years at the club. Both contributed to a period of great success for Sampdoria, with their partnership bringing one Serie A title, three Coppa Italias, one Italian Super Cup, and a European Cup Winners Cup. They even reached the final of the 1992 European Cup, but were thwarted at Wembley by Barcelona. Vialli's departure, and the death of club owner Paolo Mantovani, coincided with a downturn in fortunes, and eventual relegation. It remains to be seen whether the two will meet again as managers, but with Vialli seemingly uninterested in a return to management and Mancini managing Galatasaray, such an emotional reunion is unlikely.
I am from Bangor, aged 24, and possess an MA in Journalism from The University Of Ulster. I have had work published in the Belfast Telegraph and interviewed several local footballers and Olympic athletes. I also run my own sports blog, 'Sporting Thought' in addition to contributing to What Culture.
