Gianluca Vialli: ‘This is truly an awful day’ – Chelsea pay tribute to ‘legend’ after his death aged 58

Vialli was a player and manager at Chelsea from 1996 to 2000, scoring 40 goals for the Blues.

In 2018, he revealed he overcame a year-long battle with pancreatic cancer, but it was confirmed in December 2021 that the cancer returned and he passed away on Friday.

“This is truly an awful day for Chelsea Football Club,” read a statement signed by owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali. “Gianluca’s legend will live on at Stamford Bridge.

“His impact as a player, a coach and most importantly as a person, will be forever written across our club’s history. We send our heartfelt and deepest condolences to his family and friends.”

Vialli won the FA Cup in his first season at Chelsea, scoring two goals in an incredible 4-2 comeback over Liverpool in the fourth round.

The departure of Ruud Gullit saw Vialli become a player-manager, as well as the first Italian to manage in the Premier League.

He won the Cup Winners’ Cup, League Cup, Super Cup and had their most successful league season for 18 years in 1998 with a third-place finish.

Vialli retired as a player in 1999, scoring the winning goal in his last appearance against Derby at Stamford Bridge.

He focused on managing the club and led Chelsea to another FA Cup title in 2000. However, a disappointing start to the next season saw him sacked after five games, as he fell out with key players including Gianfranco Zola and Didier Deschamps.

At the time, Vialli was Chelsea’s best manager to date after his three-year reign.

He made regular visits to Stamford Bridge after his managerial career came to an end and featured in legends’ games.

Chelsea’s statement continued: “As soon as he walked through the door at Stamford Bridge when already a global football star, Luca declared his wish to become a Chelsea legend.

“It is a target he undoubtedly reached, revered for his work on the pitch and in the dugout during some of the most successful years in our history.

“Loved by fans, players and staff at Stamford Bridge, Luca will be sorely missed not just by the Chelsea community, but the entire footballing world, including in his native Italy, where he was such an iconic figure.

“Our thoughts are with Luca’s wife Cathryn, his daughters Sofia and Olivia, and the rest of his family and his friends at this terribly sad time.”