MUSCAT : Former Chelsea, Juventus, and Italy striker and former manager of Chelsea, Gianluca Vialli passed away at the age of 58 from cancer. Although Valli was initially diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2017, he was given the all-clear in 2020. However, he was re-diagnosed with it in 2021, following which he announced a temporary leave from his role with Italy’s national team in December.

Vialli played 59 times for Italy and won the Champions League with Juventus before joining Chelsea in 1996 and becoming player-manager in 1998. In fact, Vialli was the first Italian to manage a Premier League side. In 1992, Valli joined Juventus for a then world record-breaking £12 million contract after winning the Serie A title and the European Cup Winners’ Cup during eight seasons with Sampdoria. He guided Chelsea to victory in the 2000 FA Cup final and Charity Shield but was subsequently sacked early in the following season after a poor start.

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