Marco Nappi Explained

Marco Nappi
Birth Date:13 May 1966
Birth Place:Rome, Italy
Height:1.73 m
Position:Striker
Currentclub:Nocerina (head coach)
Years1:1983–1986
Clubs1:Cesena
Caps1:0
Goals1:0
Years2:1984–1986
Clubs2:Ravenna (loan)
Caps2:58
Goals2:17
Years3:1986–1987
Clubs3:Vis Pesaro
Caps3:30
Goals3:14
Years4:1987–1988
Clubs4:Arezzo
Caps4:36
Goals4:8
Years5:1988–1999
Clubs5:Genoa
Caps5:189
Goals5:44
Years6:1989
Clubs6:Brescia (loan)
Caps6:8
Goals6:1
Years7:1989–1991
Clubs7:Fiorentina (loan)
Caps7:44
Goals7:6
Years8:1991–1992
Clubs8:Udinese (loan)
Caps8:35
Goals8:9
Years9:1992–1993
Clubs9:SPAL (loan)
Caps9:26
Goals9:10
Years10:1995
Clubs10:→ Brescia (loan)
Caps10:11
Goals10:0
Years11:1999–2001
Clubs11:Atalanta
Caps11:48
Goals11:4
Years12:2001
Clubs12:Ternana
Caps12:9
Goals12:2
Years13:2002
Clubs13:Como
Caps13:7
Goals13:1
Years14:2002–2003
Clubs14:Savona
Caps14:22
Goals14:3
Years15:2003–2004
Clubs15:Carrarese
Caps15:37
Goals15:9
Years16:2005
Clubs16:Cuneo
Caps16:13
Goals16:0
Years17:2005–2006
Clubs17:Sestri Levante
Caps17:27
Goals17:6
Totalcaps:600
Totalgoals:134
Manageryears1:2007–2012
Managerclubs1:ASD Figenpa (youth)
Manageryears2:2012–2014
Managerclubs2:Savona (youth)
Manageryears3:2014–2015
Managerclubs3:Montalto Uffugo
Manageryears4:2016–2017
Managerclubs4:Livorno (youth)
Manageryears5:2017
Managerclubs5:Pomigliano
Manageryears6:2018
Managerclubs6:Pomigliano
Manageryears7:2021–2023
Managerclubs7:Arzachena
Manageryears8:2023–

Marco Nappi (born 13 May 1966), also known as Nippo,[1] is an Italian former professional footballer and current manager, who played as a striker. He is the head coach of Nocerina.

Playing career

Nappi was born in Rome. After signing with Urbe Tevere in 1982, he went on to play for several other Italian clubs, starting his professional footballing career with A.C. Cesena in 1983, remaining with the club until 1986, also spending two seasons on loan with Ravenna (1984–85, and 1985–86). He moved to Arezzo for a season in 1987, before moving to Genoa in 1988. During his time with Genoa (1988–99), he notably won the 1988–89 Serie B title, helping the club to obtain Serie A promotion, and also winning the 1995–96 Anglo-Italian Cup; he was also sent on loan to various clubs during his time with Genoa: Brescia (1989 and 1994–95), Fiorentina (1989–91), Udinese (1991–92), and SPAL (1992–93). He ended his career in 2006, after a season with U.S.D. Sestri Levante 1919. During his time with Fiorentina, he played alongside Roberto Baggio and also Stefano Borgonovo, helping the club to reach the 1990 UEFA Cup Final, where they were defeated by rivals Juventus. Following his retirement, he worked as a coach.[2]

Style of play

A quick, mobile, and creative forward, with an eye for goal, Nappi was known for his long blond hair, as well as his determination and work-rate on the pitch, and was capable of playing in several offensive positions. A skilful player, he was also known for his control, agility, flair and technical ability, as well as his notable use of tricks and feints to beat opponents when dribbling, such as the sombrero; one of his most famous gestures was his use of the seal dribble, which earned him the nickname foca (seal).[2] [3] [4] His most famous use of the seal dribble came in the first leg of the semi-final of the 1989–90 UEFA Cup, against Werder Bremen; during the match, Nappi picked up the ball in his area and ran 20 metres with the ball bouncing along his forehead along the right flank.[5]

After retirement

Nappi served as a pundit for Telenord following his retirement. A good friend of former footballer and ex-Fiorentina team-mate Stefano Borgonovo, Nappi organized the Genoa–Sampdoria derby "United against ALS" in his honour on 27 March 2009, at the Luigi Ferraris stadium in Genoa, scoring from a penalty.[1]

Coaching career

In 2007, Nappi began a career as a youth coach for Figenpa, a Genoan amateur side. In the summer of 2012, he returned to his former club Savona (with whom he had played from 2002 to 2003) as a coach for the "Allievi Nazionali" youth side, reaching the "finali nazionali" with the youth side.[6] [7] In July 2014, he worked as a coach for Serie D side Comprensorio Montalto, although he resigned from this position at the beginning of 2015.

He successively served as the head coach of Serie D club Pomigliano.[8]

In 2021, after a two-year stint as a youth coach for Chinese club Beijing Sport University F.C., he was appointed head coach of Serie D club Arzachena. After two seasons with the Sardinian club,[9] Nappi returned to management in October 2023 as the new head coach of Serie D club Nocerina.[10]

Honours

Genoa

1988–89

1995–96

Como

2001–02

Vis Pesaro

1986–87

Ravenna

1984–85

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Marco "Nippo" Nappi, la simpatia al servizio della squadra. Marco "Nippo" Nappi, his friendliness towards his team. Bergamo News.it. Italian. 7 April 2009. 6 May 2015.
  2. Web site: Che fine ha fatto Marco Nappi. What ever happened to Marco Nappi. Bergamo Post. Italian. 5 January 2015. 5 May 2015.
  3. Web site: Alla Festa dello sport Nappi fa la 'foca'. At the Sports Celebration Nappi does the 'seal dribble'. La Repubblica. Italian. Matteo Macor. 24 May 2014. 6 May 2015.
  4. Web site: Nippo Nappi e l'amore per il Genoa. Nippo Nappi and his love for Genoa. calciatori.com. Italian. 6 May 2015.
  5. Web site: NAPPI, ED IL NUMERO DELLA "FOCA MONACA". Nappi, and his use of the "seal dribble" skill. Firenze Viola.it. Italian. Stefano Borgi. 17 April 2012. 6 May 2015.
  6. Web site: Marco Nappi nuovo tecnico degli Allievi Nazionali del Savona. Marco Nappi is the new coach of the Savona Allievi Nazionali. Pianeta Genoa 1893. Italian. 7 August 2013. 6 May 2015.
  7. Web site: La nuova vita di Marco Nappi, allenatore degli Allievi nazionali del Savona. The new life of Marco Nappi, coach of the Savona Allievi Nazionali. Genova 24. Italian. Gabriele Ingraffia. 6 August 2012. 6 May 2015.
  8. http://www.zonacalcio.net/2018/03/27/pomigliano-ufficiale-esonerato-nappi-ecco-di-costanzo/ Pomigliano, ufficiale: esonerato Nappi, ecco Di Costanzo
  9. Web site: it . 29 October 2023 . 29 October 2023 . Arzachena, c'è l'addio di Nappi: «Sorpreso dalla decisione di cessione del club, è giunta l’ora di salutarci». Diario Sportivo .
  10. Web site: it . 8 June 2023 . 29 October 2023 . Nocerina, l'ex Genoa Marco Nappi è il nuovo allenatore. TuttoMercatoWeb .