Francesco Brignani was born on March 24, 1948 in Drizzona, near Cremona.
He started his footballing career in the Inter youth teams but never made it to the top squad. He played his first professional season with Padova in Serie B in 1968-69 but the team was relegated to the third tier. He stayed in Serie B and for two years played for Varese, the first of which saw the club promoted to Serie A. He debuted in the top tier on October 11 at Cagliari. Varese managed to avoid relegation but he was then sold to Cesena in Serie B.
In 1973 Cesena were promoted to Serie A for the first time in their history and he contributed to their stay in the top tier for the next two years. In the summer of 1975, he joined Lazio with Paolo Ammoniaci in the deal that saw Mario Frustalupi and Giancarlo Oddi move to Romagna. He was personally chosen by the new manager Giulio Corsini who wanted to revolutionise the Lazio squad that had won the scudetto. Things didn't work out for Corsini, sacked after seven games, or for Brignani who made just 11 appearances. The Biancocelesti managed to avoid relegation in the last game, but he did not leave much of a mark.
In 1976 he moved south and started playing for Palermo. He stayed for four years in Sicily, all in Serie B. He was part of the team that surprisingly reached the final of the Coppa Italia in 1979, controversially lost to Juventus in extra time.
His last three years of active football were played in Serie C with Novara, Siracusa and Spezia.
Once he stopped playing he became a manager, starting in 1987 with Ravenna. After a season as head coach of Trento, he managed Catanzaro for a few games in 1991.
He died on August 27, 1993 in Cervia at the age of 45. He had a heart attack while he was jogging.
Lazio Career
Season | Total appearances | Serie A | Coppa Italia | UEFA Cup |
1975-76 | 20 | 11 | 6 | 3 |
Source
Comments