Giancarlo Camolese was born in Turin, on February 25, 1961.
His first team was local San Mauro before joining Torino's youth set up.
In 1978-79 he was added to the first team squad under Gigi Radice but he did not make his debut for the Granata who finished 4th in Serie A. His teammates included, Lazio connections, Giuliano Terraneo (1986-87) and Giuseppe Greco (1980-81).
In 1979-80 he joined nearby Biellese in C1. The manager was first Roberto Gori and then Guido Capello and the "Lanieri" were relegated. Camolese played 25 league games.
In 1980 he joined Reggina in C1. He stayed two seasons, playing 53 league games with 1 goal and the Amaranto finished 4th and 10th. His managers were Adriano Buffoni and Gaetano Salvemimini.
In 1982 he returned to Piedmont and joined Alessandria in C2. He stayed four seasons. The Grigi finished 5th, 3rd, 3rd (lost promotion playoff) and 3rd again. He played 125 league games and scored 5 goals. In the first year his managers were, former Lazio player, Gian Piero Ghio (1968-70) and then Amilcare Ferretti, in the second Ferretti, Natalino Fossati and then Antonio Colombo, in the third Alberto Mari (with Lazio from 1963 to 1968) and then Carlo Tagnin (Lazio player 1958-59) and then still Tagnin in his last. In his second and third year the president was Gianmarco Calleri, later to become Lazio president (1986-92). Camolese's teammates included future Lazio Angelo Gregucci (1986-93) and Eugenio Sgarbossa (1986).
In 1986 Camolese joined Lazio in Serie B. The Biancocelesti were supposed to push for promotion but then received a nine-point docking for one of their player's involvement in the "Totonero bis" match fixing scandal. The manager was Eugenio Fascetti and Lazio managed to stay up after a dramatic season. They scored seven minutes from time in the last game of the season against Vicenza to force a three-team playoff with Campobasso and Taranto in Naples. Lazio lost to Taranto but then beat the Molisani with a Fabio Poli goal. Lazio survived and the players have been revered ever since. Camolese played 24 league games plus the 2 playoff games and 3 in Coppa Italia.
The following year was finally time to go for promotion. Lazio were successful with a 3rd place finish. Camolese played 20 league games and 5 in Coppa Italia.
After these two intense years in the capital he joined Padova in Serie B. He stayed two seasons, finishing 14th and 11th. The manager was, his former Reggina boss, Adriano Buffoni in the first season and then Enzo Ferrari (1-14) and Mario Colautti in the second. He played 65 league games for the Patavini. His teammates included, former Lazio, Giuseppe Galderisi (1987-88). Other interesting players in the squad were Angelo Di Livio (future Juventus and 40 Italy caps), Antonio Benarrivo (future Parma and 23 Italy caps), Giovanni Piacentini (future Roma), Alberto Cavasin (future manager of Fiorentina, Sampdoria and Leyton Orient ... amongst others).
In 1990 Camolese joined Vicenza in Serie C1. The manager was first Giuseppe Caramanno (1-22) and then Antonio Pasinato (23-34) and the "Lane" finished 10th. He played 26 league games with 1 goal (Venezia).
In 1991 he joined Taranto in Serie B. The Ionici finished 16th and stayed up after a playoff...again, this time beating Casertana 2-1 after extra-time. The managers were Walter Nicoletti (1-10) and Giampiero Vitali (11-38). His teammates included, former Lazio, Ciro Muro (1987-89).
In 1992-93 he spent another season with the Rossoblu but it was a bad year to put it mildly. The Tarantini got relegated and then went bust. The manager was first Vitali (1-6) and then Giuseppe Caramanno (7-38). Camolese then left Puglia after 32 league games over the two seasons.
He played two more seasons with Saviglianese (Cuneo-Piedmont) at amateur level in Promozione (6th tier) and then Eccellenza (5th tier). He then retired at 34.
He went straight into coaching starting where he finished, at Saviglianese in the youth sector.
In 1996-97 he was assistant manager to Mauro Sandreani and then Lido Vieri at Torino in Serie B. Toro finished 9th. Until March 18 the president was Gianmarco Calleri (Lazio player 1962-63 and president 1986-1992, it was he who signed Paul Gascoigne).
In 1997, from August to October, he was manager of Torino with Graeme Souness as Technical Director. Future Lazio manager Edy Reja (2010-12, 2014) then took over and the Granata finished 5th, losing the promotion playoff to Perugia on penalties.
From 1998-99 he was assistant to Emiliano Mondonico at Torino, culminating in promotion to Serie A. The promotion squad included, former Lazio, Mauro Bonomi (1992-95) and Roberto Bacci (1990-95).
In 1999-2000 he was in charge of Torino Primavera (U19's).
In 2000 he became Torino manager proper after 8 games taking over from Gigi Simoni but back in Serie B. The Granata finished 1st and were promoted. His squad included Giorgio Venturin (Lazio 1994-95 and 1996-99) and Giovanni Lopez (Lazio 1997-98).
In 2001-02 he stayed with Toro and finished 11th. Standout results were drawing the derby 3-3 after being 3-0 down at halftime and defeating Milan 1-0.
In 2002-2003 he started with Torino but was sacked in October after 5 winless league games (D1, L4). The Granata were eventually relegated.
In November 2003 he took over from Franco Colomba at Reggina in Serie A. The Amaranto finished 13th.
In 2005-06 he was manager of Vicenza in Serie B. The Berici finished 16th. His squad included Federico Crovari (Lazio 1998-99).
In 2006-07 he continued with Vicenza but was sacked in September after 5 league games and Angelo Gregucci took over (Lazio 1986-1993). Vicenza finished 10th.
In October 2007 he took over from Fernando Orsi (Lazio 1982-85, 1989-98) with Livorno in Serie A. His debut was a 0-1 home defeat to Lazio and he himself was then replaced by Nando Orsi in April, after 6 wins, 10 draws and 12 defeats, leaving the "Triglie" (Mullets) in 20th and last position, three points from safety. Livorno ended up relegated.
In March 2009 he replaced Walter Novellino at Torino in A for the last 9 games. He won 3, drew 1 and lost 5 but Toro were relegated.
In October 2012 he took charge of Pro Vercelli in Serie B. After 13 league matches however (W2, D2 and L9) he was replaced in December by Maurizio Braghin. The "Leoni" were relegated.
In October 2015 he took over at Chiasso in the Swiss Challenge League (2nd tier) and the Rossoblu finished 7th.
In 2002 between training jobs he found the time to graduate in Sports Motor Sciences. In fact, he now lectures at SUISM University in Torino and also teaches at the coaching classes at the Technical sector for future managers at the Coverciano FIGC Federation headquarters.
He has also done punditry for RAI and from 2007 has collaborated with Mediaset as technical commentator for Italy games and Coppa Italia.
Camolese was a midfielder. At 1.68 and 67 kilos he was a hard-battling ball winner. He excelled in tackling and regaining possession. He was not a technical player but a useful team player.
He never played in Serie A and his peak was at Lazio. He is part of one of the most popular teams in Lazio's 124-year history, the -9 heroes of 1986-87. The following year he also contributed to Lazio's promotion back to Serie A. He played 54 games for Lazio.
As a manager his peak was winning promotion to Serie A with Torino in 2001.
Lazio Career
Season | Total appearances | Serie B | Coppa Italia |
1986-87 | 29 | 26 | 3 |
1987-88 | 25 | 20 | 5 |
Jun-Sep 1988 | 3 | - | 3 |
Total | 57 | 46 | 11 |
Sources
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