Paolo Todeschini was born in Milan, on September 22 1920.
He came out of the Milan youth sector where he spent his formative years. He made his debut for the first team at 19 in 1939. He then stayed four seasons with the Rossoneri.
In his first, under József Bánás, he played 7 league games and Milan finished 8th.
In his second, under Guido Ara he played 21 league games with 2 goals (Bologna, Torino) and 2 games in Coppa Italia and Milan finished 3rd.
In his third, under Mario Magnozzi, he played 27 league games with 2 goals (Fiorentina, Triestina) and 5 in Coppa Italia with 1 goal (Reggiana). Milan finished 10th and were runners-up in Coppa Italia (Juventus 2-5 on aggregate).
In his fourth and last year, under Magnozzi again, he played 24 league games and 3 in Coppa Italia and Milan finished 6th.
Then came the war which interrupted official tournaments, but Todeschini played some unofficial games with Foggia.
In 1945-46 after the war, he joined Bologna. The managers were first Alexander Popovic (1-13) and then the duo and Bologna legends Angelo Schiavio and Pietro Genovesi. The Felsinei finished 6th in the Serie A Alta Italia and Todeschini played 23 games with 2 goals (Sampierdarenese, Milan). Bologna won the Alta Italia Cup beating Novara 6-2 on aggregate.
In 1946 Todeschini joined Atalanta where he stayed two seasons. In the first, under Luisito Monti until November and then Ivo Fiorentini, the "Dea" (The Goddess) finished 9th (two draws with Lazio) and he played 26 league games. In his second season, under Fiorentini, the Nerazzurri finished 5th (5-0 and 0-0 against Lazio) and he played 30 league games.
In 1948 Todeschini moved to the capital and joined Lazio. It was an average season for the Biancocelesti who finished 13th. The managers were first Orlando Tognotti and then, after ten matches, Mario Sperone. Todeschini played 15 league games and Lazio's best results were beating Bologna 8-2, Modena 5-1 and Genoa 5-1 while both derbies ended up draws.
In the first, under Eraldo Monzeglio the Azzurri won the league and were promoted. Todeschini played 41 league games (out of 42) with 9 goals.
In the second, back in A under Monzeglio, Napoli finished a positive 6th (lost one and drew one vs Lazio). Todeschini played 35 league games with 2 goals. He played alongside former Lazio defender Leandro Remondini.
In his third and last year Napoli did one better and finished 5th (won one and lost one against Lazio). Todeschini played 18 league games and scored 3 goals. One of his teammates were former Lazio Flavio Cecconi and Dionisio Arce.
In 1953 he moved back to the Milan area and joined Monza in Serie B. The Brianzoli finished 7th under three different managers: Annibale Frossi (1-10), Emilio Zafferri (11-12) and Fioravante Baldi (13-34). Todeschini played 11 league games with 1 goal. His teammates included legendary Lazio keeper Bob Lovati.
Todeschini then played one final year with Mantova in Serie D as player/manager in 1954-55. The Biancorossi finished 3rd in their group and Todeschini played 24 league games with 7 goals.
He then retired in 1955 but became Modena manager in Serie B but was sacked during the season.
In 1956-57 he was in charge at Salernitana in Serie C. The Granata finished 3rd.
Between 1957-59 he was at Pro Vercelli in Serie C. The "Leoni" finished 5th and 7th.
In 1959-60 he was with Vigevano in Serie C but the Biancocelesti were relegated.
He then had a spell with the Italian Olympic team with Nereo Rocco before returning to Milan in the 1960-61 season and the Rossoneri finished 2nd.
In 1961-62 he came back to Rome as Lazio manager in Serie B. He lasted 21 games before being replaced by former teammate Bob Lovati. Lazio narrowly missed out on promotion finishing 4th (not helped by Seghedoni's goal against Napoli being disallowed for allegedly going in through a hole in the net).
Between 1962-64 he was with Cosenza in Serie B. The "Lupi della Sila" (The Sila Wolves) came 14th. The following year he was replaced during the season and the Rossoblu were relegated.
Between 1964-66 he was in charge at Pro Patria in Serie B and finished 9th. The following year he was replaced during the season and the Bustocchi were relegated.
In 1966 he had a brief spell with Virtus Entella (Chiavari) in Serie C but the Biancocelesti were relegated.
In 1967-68 he was manager of Italy's Olympic team. He won the Mediterranean Games but failed to qualify for Mexico '68.
In 1968 he returned to club football and joined Messina in Serie C. The Giallorossi finished 9th.
Between 1970 and 1972 he returned to Entella in Serie C but the Black Devils were relegated in '72, after an 11th place in '71.
In 1972-73 he was manager of Sorrento in Serie C. The “Costieri" finished 12th.
His last job as a manager was with the Italy women's national team in 1981-82.
After retiring Todeschini made a name for himself as a well-known and respected sculptor. He had a degree in Architecture, at 40 he graduated from the "Belle Arti" (Fine Arts) in Milan. He sculpted several works based on sports themes, including the bust of Giuseppe Meazza at San Siro and the statue of Fausto Coppi at the Ghisallo (sanctuary in hills above Como), plus numerous others exhibited in various art galleries.
Todeschini was a great club player. He was a midfielder and a strong one at 1.83 and 75 kilos. He played 224 games in Serie A with Milan, Napoli and Lazio. At Milan he went close to winning a Scudetto with a 2nd place finish. At Napoli he won a promotion to Serie A.
At Lazio he was unlucky as he suffered from tachycardia, a problem which was only resolved when he went to Naples (it was a tonsil problem and he was operated). In Rome he was unable to play regularly but, in the 15 league games he did, he always put in good performances.
Lazio Career
Season | Serie A Appearances |
1948-49 | 15 |
Sources
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