Nevio Skala Trainer Date of Birth: 22.11.1947 Country: Italy

1. Player and Coach: Nevio Scala's Football Journey
2. As a Player
3. As a Coach
4. Parma's Golden Era
5. International Success
6. Later Coaching Career
7. Personal Life

Player and Coach: Nevio Scala's Football Journey

Nevio Scala, an Italian football icon, left an enduring mark on the sport as both a player and a coach.

As a Player

Born in Lozzo Atestino in 1947, Scala's football career began at AC Milan's youth academy in 1963. He made his first-team debut at the iconic San Siro in 1965 but failed to establish himself in the starting lineup. After a season-long loan at AS Roma, where he matured both physically and mentally, Scala returned to Milan in 1967.

He became a regular member of the team that won the 1967-68 Coppa Italia and the 1968-69 European Cup Winners' Cup. Scala also played a key role in Milan's 1968-69 Serie A triumph, although he did not feature in the club's 4-1 victory over S.L. Benfica in the European Cup final. His departure from Milan in 1969 marked the end of his first stint with the club.

Scala rejoined Milan in 1975 from their arch-rivals Inter Milan, but his playing career eventually declined after 1976. He spent his remaining years in lower-division clubs before retiring in Serie C1.

As a Coach

Although his playing career was impressive, Scala's true calling lay in coaching. Despite having represented several prestigious clubs and winning major trophies with Milan, Scala understood that his destiny was on the sidelines.

After hanging up his boots, Scala began his coaching journey as an assistant at Vicenza in 1985. Two years later, he took charge of Serie B side Reggina before moving to Parma in 1989. This move would prove to be pivotal in Scala's career.

Parma's Golden Era

Under Scala's guidance, the modest Parma club transformed into a European powerhouse, winning a series of domestic and international trophies. They claimed the Coppa Italia in 1991-92, followed by the European Cup Winners' Cup at Wembley Stadium in 1993. Parma's success continued with victory over Milan in the UEFA Super Cup that same year.

In 1994, Parma reached the final of the European Cup Winners' Cup again but lost 1-0 to Arsenal F.C. However, the club bounced back the following season to win the UEFA Cup, defeating Juventus in a two-legged final.

International Success

Scala's triumphs with Parma brought him international recognition. He led Borussia Dortmund to the 1997 Intercontinental Cup, a match they won against Brazil's Cruzeiro.

Later Coaching Career

Scala's coaching career continued outside Italy in his later years. He spent two years with Beşiktaş in Turkey before a brief stint with Shakhtar Donetsk in Ukraine. In 2003, Scala arrived in Moscow to take over as manager of FC Spartak Moscow, but his tenure there was marred by organizational chaos.

Personal Life

Scala resides in Pavone, Italy, with his wife Janine. They have two children, a daughter named Sasha and a son named Claudio. He enjoys farming, journalism, golf, hunting, and opera.