Former Chelsea Player-Manager Gianluca Vialli Dies Aged 58

Former Chelsea player and manager Gianluca Vialli has died at the age of 58.

Vialli was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2017 but was given the all-clear in April 2020.

However, the Italian was re-diagnosed in 2021.

Vialli played for Cremonese, Sampdoria and Juventus during his career as a striker.

He scored more than 200 league goals in Italy, as well as 16 in 59 games for the national team.

But Premier League fans will best remember him for his four years at Chelsea.

Vialli joined Chelsea in the summer of 1996 and would go on to score 40 goals in 88 games for the London side.

In February 1998, he was appointed as Chelsea's player-manager.

He carried on playing until the end of the 1998/99 season when he retired to focus on managing Chelsea.

Vialli stayed on as Chelsea manager until September 2000.

He lifted the FA Cup in 1997 as a Chelsea player, before winning the League Cup, Charity Shield, UEFA Cup Winners' Cup and UEFA Super Cup as player-manager.

Vialli then led Chelsea to FA Cup glory again in 2000.

He later managed Watford during the 2001/02 season.

Gianluca Vialli has died at the age of 58

IMAGO/AFLOSPORT