Luciano Chiarugi
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 Chiarugi (Amsterdam, 1974) | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 13 January 1947 | ||
| Place of birth | Ponsacco, Italy | ||
| Position(s) | Forward | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1965–1972 | Fiorentina | 139 | (33) |
| 1972–1976 | A.C. Milan | 104 | (37) |
| 1976–1978 | Napoli | 42 | (7) |
| 1978–1979 | Sampdoria | 30 | (5) |
| 1979–1980 | Bologna | 13 | (3) |
| 1980–1982 | Rimini | 13 | (1) |
| 1982–1983 | Rondinella | ? | (?) |
| 1983–1985 | Massese | 38 | (9) |
| International career | |||
| 1969–1974 | Italy | 3 | (0) |
| Managerial career | |||
| 1993 | Fiorentina (caretaker) | ||
| 2001 | Fiorentina (caretaker) | ||
| 2002 | Fiorentina (caretaker) | ||
| 2007–2008 | Poggibonsi | ||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Luciano Chiarugi (Italian pronunciation: [luˈtʃaːno kjaˈruːdʒi]; born 13 January 1947) is an Italian football manager and former player who played as a forward.
Born in Ponsacco, Province of Pisa, Chiarugi started his career with Fiorentina, being part of the lineup that won the 1968–69 Serie A title. After seven seasons with the viola, Chiarugi moved to A.C. Milan in 1972, being instrumental to the rossoneri triumph in the 1972–73 European Cup Winners' Cup, won thanks to a goal by him in the final match against Leeds United, finishing the competition as top scorer.[1][2]
It was November 24, 1974 when Chiarugi surprised the Ascoli goalkeeper, in a league match. He scored for Milan the last Olympic goal until Christian Pulisic's attempt during Champions League game in October 2024 against Club Brugge.
In 1976, he was sold to Napoli in an exchange bid with Giorgio Braglia,[1] with whom he shared the same nickname: Cavallo Pazzo ("Crazy" or "Mad Horse", in Italian).[3] He played two seasons with the azzurri, winning a Coppa Italia and an Anglo-Italian Cup. He played for Serie B team Sampdoria in 1978–79, and then back to Serie A with Bologna the following season. After spells with minor league teams Rimini, Rondinella and Massese, Chiarugi retired from football in 1986.
International career
Chiarugi also gained three caps for the Italy national football team, making his debut on 22 November 1969 in a 3–0 win over East Germany.[2][4]
Style of play
Known in Italian football for his impetuous nature, pace and technique, which gained him the nickname Cavallo Pazzo (Crazy Horse), Chiarugi was a quick, energetic, and highly creative forward with an eye for goal and excellent dribbling skills, known for his individualistic playing style, as well as his use of elaborate feints and nutmegs to beat opponents. He was also known for his accurate striking and crossing ability, and was effective from set-pieces; this allowed him to play both as a striker, or as a winger on either flank. However, despite his talent, he was also popularly considered as a diver, causing the Italian media to create the Italian neologism chiarugismo, a synonym of "football diving", after his name.[1][2][5][6]