Francesco Rocca

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Francesco Rocca
Personal information
Date of birth (1954-08-02) August 2, 1954
Place of birthSan Vito Romano, Italy
Height1.79 m (5 ft 10 12 in)
Playing positionDefender
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
1972–1981Roma141(0)
National team
1973Italy U-211(0)
1974–1976 Italy18(1)
Teams managed
1988Italy Olympic
1995–1997Italy U-18 (equivalent to current U-19 )
1996–1998Italy U-17 (equivalent to current U-18 )
2000–2004Italy U-20
2004–2006Italy U-17
2006–2007Italy U-18
2006–2008Italy U-19
2008–2011Italy U-20
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only.
† Appearances (Goals).

Francesco Rocca (born August 2, 1954)[1] is an Italian professional football coach and former player, who was the coach of the Italy national under-20 football team from 2008 until 2011.[2]

Born in the San Vito Romano village 40 km from Rome, he played his club football exclusively for AS Roma from 1972 to 1981. He was nicknamed was "Kawasaki" (after the Japanese brand of motor bikes) because of his work rate and durability in the full-back position.[3] Rocca played 163 games for Roma, including 141 games in Serie A[2] and 22 in the Coppa Italia cup, but did not score any goals for the club. He played 18 games for the Italy national football team from 1974 to 1976, and scored a goal for Italy against the United States national soccer team.[4] At the age of 26, a serious injury forced Rocca to retire.[2]

As a manager, Rocca managed Italy to a fourth place at the 1988 Summer Olympics.[5] He also led U-19 team finished as the runner-up in 2008 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship. After the tournament he changed to coach U-20 team, led his boys to 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup.

He is one of eleven members of Hall of Fame of A.S. Roma.

Honours

References

  1. Italy Under 20 >> Francesco Rocca at Goal.com
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 FIFA U-20 World Cup Egypt 2009 - Italy (ITA) at FIFA
  3. The children of the Wolf, FIFA, March 19, 2008
  4. Italy - International Matches 1970-1979 at RSSSF
  5. Men's Olympic Football Tournament - Seoul 1988 at FIFA
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