Luciano De Paola was born in Crotone on May 30, 1961.
He spent his youth days with Crotone and joined the first team squad in 1981. The "Squali" were in the fifth tier and finished 2nd twice. De Paola played 59 league games over two seasons.
In 1983 he joined Frosinone in Serie C2. He stayed two seasons with the "Leoni" who finished 8th and 3rd. He played 64 league games.
In 1985 he joined Francavilla in C2 and stayed three seasons. The Giallorossi finished 7th, 1st (promoted) and 8th in C1. De Paola played 82 league games and scored his first professional goal.
In 1988 he moved to Sardinia and signed for Cagliari. The Rossoblu were in Serie C1. He stayed two years and first won promotion to B and then promotion to Serie A. Cagliari also won the Serie C Coppa Italia in 1989. He played 71 league games for "Casteddu" and scored 2 goals. His manager in Sardinia was Claudio Ranieri. His teammates included Mario Ielpo (Lazio 18981-84).
In 1990 De Paola joined Brescia in Serie B. He stayed three seasons. The "Rondinelle" (Swallows) finished 9th, 1st (promoted) and 15th in A (relegated after playoff). He played 85 league games with 2 goals. His managers were Bruno Mazzia (1-3) and Bruno Bolchi (4-38) in the first year, Adelio Moro (with Mircea Lucescu as T.D) in the promotion year and Serie A season. His teammates Lazio connections Filippo Citterio (1979-81), Marco Piovanelli (1995-97), Luca Luzardi (1992-94), Sergio Domini (1990-91), Giampaolo Saurini (1988-89, 1990-91), Paolo Negro (1993-2005), Luca Brunetti (1986-88) plus the great Romanian Gheorghe Hagi.
In the summer of 1993 De Paola joined Lazio. The manager was Dino Zoff but De Paola's Roman experience was short lived. He played 6 league games, 2 in Coppa Italia and 3 in the UEFA Cup before leaving in November for Atalanta. In midfield Lazio had Roberto Bacci, Roberto Di Matteo, Fabrizio Di Mauro, Diego Fuser, Claudio Sclosa, Aron Winter, Thomas Doll (he left in November too) and Paul Gascoigne and competition for places was tough.
In Bergamo De Paola only stayed for the rest of the season. He played 14 league games under Cesare Prandelli and the Dea finished 17th and relegated. His teammates included future Lazio Roberto Rambaudi (1994-98).
In 1994 De Paola returned to his hometown of Cosenza. He stayed two seasons in Serie B with the "Lupi della Sila" (Sila Wolves). He played 66 league games and scored 2 goals and the Calabresi finished 15th and 11th. The manager was Alberto Zaccheroni the first year and then Fausto Silipo (1-3) and Bortolo Mutti (4-38) the second. His teammates included former Lazio Gigi Corino (1991-94).
In 1996 he returned to Brescia for two seasons. The Lombards were in Serie B but won promotion under Edy Reja. In the second year Brescia finished 15th and relegated under three different managers including Giuseppe Materazzi. De Paola played another 56 league games for Brescia. His teammates included Lazio connections, Maurizio Neri (1991-93), the Filippini twins (2004-05), Luca Luzardi (1992-94) plus the great Andrea Pirlo.
De Paola then spent one last season with Cremapergo in C2. He played 13 league games and the Gialloblu finished 18th and relegated. At this point De Paolo retired at the age of 38.
He went straight into coaching, something he had already been doing in the second part of the season with Cremapergo. In 2000 he took charge of Brescia Primavera and stayed seven years. He then had stints at Arezzo (2007, C1, sacked), Darfo Boario (Jan 2009-Apr 2011, Serie D, 8th, 4th and sacked), Seregno (Dec 2011-2012, Serie D, 16th), Trento (Dec 2012-2013, Serie D, 18th), Alzano Cene (Oct 2013-2014,Serie D, 15th), Piacenza (Jan-June 2015, Serie D, 4th), Lecco (Oct 2015-2016, Serie D, 2nd), Lumezzane (Oct 2016-Feb 2016, Lega Pro, sacked), Pergolettese (Dec 2017-2018, Serie D, 4th), Trento (Oct 2018-Jan 2019, Serie D, sacked), Savona (2019-20, Serie D, 6th), Pergolettese (Nov 2020-Apr 2021, Serie C, sacked), Lecco (Nov 2021-22, Serie C, 6th), Città di Varese (Oct 2022-23, Serie D, sacked).
So, a coaching career in the lower divisions without many full seasons anywhere or particular highs so far.
As a player De Paola was central defensive midfielder. His main task was to tackle and win back the ball which he did well. He did not however have playmaker skills but was a tough and hardworking player. He played a total of 516 professional games (72 in A) with 7 goals.
At Lazio he only stayed two months and never really settled in. His style of play was possibly too rugged and rough for the type of football Lazio were trying to play.
Lazio Career
Season | Total appearances | Serie A | Coppa Italia | UEFA Cup |
1993-94 | 11 | 6 | 2 | 3 |
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