Alessandro Pierini

Alessandro Pierini
Personal information
Date of birth (1973-03-22) 22 March 1973 (age 51)
Place of birth Viareggio, Italy
Height 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Position(s) Defender
Youth career
1989–1991 Udinese
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1991–1999 Udinese 123 (6)
1995–1996 → Fidelis Andria (loan) 28 (0)
1999–2002 Fiorentina 70 (2)
2002–2003 Reggina 14 (1)
2003 → Parma (loan) 3 (0)
2003–2004 Udinese 18 (0)
2004 Racing Santander 5 (0)
2005–2009 Córdoba 150 (15)
Total 411 (23)
International career
2001 Italy 1 (0)
Managerial career
2009–2011 Córdoba (assistant)
2011–2012 Córdoba B
2012–2013 Ronda
2014–2015 Camaiore
2015–2016 Viareggio 2014
2017 Fezzanese
2017–2018 Trapani (assistant)
2018–2020 Spezia U-19
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Alessandro Pierini (Italian pronunciation: [alesˈsandro pjeˈriːni]; born 22 March 1973) is an Italian retired footballer who played as a defender, and is the assistant manager of Trapani Calcio.

After playing for several clubs in his country, mainly Udinese, he finished his professional career in Spain, where he represented Racing de Santander and Córdoba.

Pierini won one cap for Italy, in 2001.

Playing career

Club

Born in Viareggio in the Province of Lucca, Tuscany, Pierini began his professional career with Udinese, making his debut in 1991 and moving on loan to Fidelis Andria four years later. He joined Fiorentina in 1999 for 14 billion lire (€7.23 million),[1][2] and turned down a move to English side West Ham United in the summer of 2001 for personal reasons,[3] instead choosing to sign for Reggina after the bankruptcy of the Viola in 2002 and moving to Parma in January of the following year.

After a second spell with Udinese, Pierini moved to Spain at already 31, joining Racing de Santander.[4] After only five La Liga matches he was released in the next transfer window and signed with Córdoba in Segunda División,[5] being relegated in that season and promoting in his third, always as an undisputed starter.[6]

International

Pierini made one appearance for the Italy national team, playing in the 1–2 friendly loss to Argentina at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome on 28 February 2001.[7]

Coaching career

In July 2009, with Córdoba consolidated in the second level, Pierini retired from playing at the age of 36, but stayed connected with his last club, immediately being named its assistant manager. In summer 2012, after one year with the reserves,[8] he had his first head coach experience away from the Estadio Nuevo Arcángel, being appointed at amateurs Ronda.[9]

Pierini returned to his homeland subsequently, where he was in charge of Serie D teams Camaiore and Viareggio 2014. In February 2017, he was appointed at fellow league side Fezzanese.[10]

In July 2018, Pierini was hired as manager for Spezia's U-19 team.[11] He was replaced by Valter Bonacina ahead of the 2020-21 season.[12]

Style of play

Pierini was a tough and physically strong defender, with a powerful build and good technical ability.[13]

Personal life

Pierini's son, Nicholas, is also a professional footballer.[14][15]

Honours

Fiorentina

References

  1. ^ A.C. Fiorentina S.p.A. bilancio (financial report and accounts) on 30 June 2001 (in Italian), PDF purchased from Italian C.C.I.A.A.
  2. ^ Di Maria, Alessandro (9 February 2001). "Pierini apre il 'Viareggio' – Fiorentina tra le favorite" [Pierini opens 'Viareggio' – Fiorentina chasing favorites]. La Repubblica (in Italian). Retrieved 14 January 2019.
  3. ^ "Hammers pull out of Pierini deal". BBC Sport. 6 August 2001. Retrieved 28 April 2008.
  4. ^ "Pierini al Racing de Santander" [Pierini to Racing de Santander] (in Spanish). Fichajes. 31 August 2004. Retrieved 23 January 2014.
  5. ^ Pérez, Carlos (27 January 2005). "Fue presentado Alessandro Pierini" [Alessandro Pierini was presented]. Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). Retrieved 23 January 2014.
  6. ^ "Entrevista: Alessandro Pierini, el italiano que "ama" la vida en España" [Interview: Alessandro Pierini, the Italian who "loves" living in Spain] (in Spanish). Goal. 17 April 2009. Retrieved 23 January 2014.
  7. ^ "Le sorprese del Trap" [Trap's surprises] (in Italian). Rai Sport. 27 February 2001. Archived from the original on 3 February 2014. Retrieved 23 January 2014.
  8. ^ Luque, Ignacio (11 June 2011). "Alessandro Pierini será el nuevo entrenador del Córdoba B" [Alessandro Pierini will be new Córdoba B manager]. Diario Córdoba (in Spanish). Retrieved 23 January 2014.
  9. ^ "Alessandro Pierini, presentado como nuevo entrenador del CD Ronda" [Alessandro Pierini, presented as new CD Ronda manager]. La Voz de Ronda (in Spanish). 10 July 2012. Retrieved 23 January 2014.
  10. ^ "Pierini è il nuovo allenatore della Fezzanese" [Pierini is the new Fezzanese manager]. Gazzetta della Spezia (in Italian). 7 February 2017. Retrieved 7 February 2017.
  11. ^ E' ALESSANDRO PIERINI IL NUOVO ALLENATORE DELLA FORMAZIONE PRIMAVERA, speziacalcio.com, 27 July 2018
  12. ^ E' VALTER BONACINA IL NUOVO ALLENATORE DELLA FORMAZIONE PRIMAVERA, speziacalcio.com, 9 September 2020
  13. ^ a b "Coppa Italia vinta coi viola nel 2000–01" [Italian Cup won with the viola in 2000–01]. Il Tirreno (in Italian). 5 February 2015. Retrieved 12 September 2019.
  14. ^ Sacchi, Marco (2 January 2017). "Sassuolo: Nicholas Pierini, gol e qualità al servizio della squadra" [Sassuolo: Nicholas Pierini, goals and quality at the service of the team] (in Italian). Football Scouting. Retrieved 30 November 2017.
  15. ^ "Spezia, che Pierini! Sorridono Padova e Cittadella" [Spezia, what a Pierini! Padova and Cittadella smile]. Corriere dello Sport (in Italian). 1 September 2018. Retrieved 28 December 2018.