1. Overview
Alberto "Albertino" Bigon (born 31 October 1947) is an Italian former professional football midfielder or forward and a successful manager. Renowned for his tactical intelligence as a player, Bigon spent the majority of his playing career with A.C. Milan, where he notably served as captain and won a Serie A championship, three Coppa Italia titles, and a UEFA Cup Winners' Cup. Following his retirement as a player in 1984, he transitioned into coaching, achieving his most significant managerial success by leading S.S.C. Napoli to their second Serie A title and the Supercoppa Italiana in 1990. He also managed numerous other clubs across Italy, Switzerland, and Greece, leaving a considerable mark on the sport.
2. Playing Career
Alberto Bigon's playing career spanned two decades, during which he was primarily recognized for his contributions as a midfielder or forward for several Italian clubs, most notably A.C. Milan.
2.1. Early Career and Debut
Born in Padua, Italy, Bigon began his professional football journey with his hometown club, Calcio Padova, playing from 1964 to 1966, where he made 64 appearances and scored 14 goals. He made his Serie A debut in 1967 with SPAL, playing for the club from 1967 to 1969, making 49 appearances and scoring 10 goals. Following his tenure at SPAL, he moved to Foggia, where he played from 1969 to 1971, contributing 18 goals in 65 appearances.
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2.2. A.C. Milan and Major Achievements
Bigon achieved the pinnacle of his playing success during his nine-year spell with A.C. Milan, from 1971 to 1980. During this period, he became a central figure for the club, serving as their captain. He appeared in 218 league matches for A.C. Milan, scoring 56 goals, and participated in a total of 329 matches across all competitions, netting 90 goals. His time at Milan was highly decorated, as he won the Serie A championship in the 1978-79 season. Additionally, he secured three Coppa Italia titles in the 1971-72, 1972-73, and 1976-77 seasons, along with a UEFA Cup Winners' Cup in 1972-73.
2.3. Later Playing Career and Retirement
After his highly successful period with A.C. Milan, Bigon continued his career with two-year spells at other notable clubs. From 1980 to 1982, he played for Lazio, making 57 appearances and scoring 12 goals. Subsequently, he joined Vicenza from 1982 to 1984, where he played in 57 matches and scored 14 goals. Alberto Bigon retired from professional football in 1984.
His overall playing statistics are summarized below:
| Club | Years | Appearances | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Padova | 1964-1966 | 64 | 14 |
| SPAL | 1967-1969 | 49 | 10 |
| Foggia | 1969-1971 | 65 | 18 |
| Milan | 1971-1980 | 218 | 56 |
| Lazio | 1980-1982 | 57 | 12 |
| Vicenza | 1982-1984 | 57 | 14 |
| Total | 1964-1984 | 510 | 124 |
3. Style of Play
Bigon was primarily known as a tactically intelligent attacking midfielder. He possessed a slender physique but had a keen eye for goal, demonstrating a notable goal-scoring ability for a player in his position. His versatility allowed him to also effectively play as a forward when required, contributing to his team's offensive strategies.
4. Managerial Career
Following his retirement as a player, Alberto Bigon embarked on a long and varied managerial career, achieving significant success with S.S.C. Napoli and FC Sion, among other clubs.
4.1. Start of Managerial Career
Bigon began his coaching journey in the 1986-87 season with Reggina. He then moved to Cesena in 1987, where he coached until 1989, gaining his initial experiences in football management.
4.2. Success at S.S.C. Napoli
In 1989, Bigon took over as manager of S.S.C. Napoli, a team then led by the legendary Diego Maradona, alongside other prominent players like Careca. He immediately made a significant impact, leading Napoli to a historic Serie A championship in the 1989-90 season, marking only the second league title in the club's history. His success continued in the same year when Napoli also won the Italian Super Cup. Bigon departed from Napoli in 1991, following a disappointing eighth-place finish in the league and Maradona's forced departure from the club.
4.3. Managerial Activities at Various Clubs
After his successful stint at Napoli, Bigon went on to coach a diverse range of clubs. He managed Lecce in Serie B, and then Udinese in Serie A, where he successfully guided the team to avoid relegation after a playoff. He also had a spell with Ascoli in Serie B.
In 1996, Bigon was appointed coach of Swiss team FC Sion. Under his guidance, Sion achieved remarkable success, winning the Swiss Super League in 1996-97, which was the club's second league title ever, and also secured the Swiss Cup in 1997. Following his time in Switzerland, Bigon attempted an unsuccessful return to Serie A with Perugia. In November 1999, he took charge of Greek club Olympiacos. Despite leading the team to first place in the championship table, he was controversially dismissed on 10 April 2000.
4.4. Later Managerial Career and Retirement
After a seven-year hiatus from coaching, Bigon made a comeback to football in February 2007, returning to FC Sion, the club he had previously managed with success. His second spell with Sion was brief. In August 2008, he became the head coach of the Slovenian football team Interblock Ljubljana. However, this engagement was very short-lived, as Bigon left the club in September 2008 by mutual consent, citing personal health issues as the reason for his departure, effectively marking his retirement from coaching.
5. Honours
Alberto Bigon accumulated several significant honours during both his distinguished playing and managerial careers.
5.1. Player Honours
A.C. Milan
- Serie A: 1978-79
- Coppa Italia: 1971-72, 1972-73, 1976-77
- European Cup Winners' Cup: 1972-73
5.2. Managerial Honours
S.S.C. Napoli
- Serie A: 1989-90
- Supercoppa Italiana: 1990
FC Sion
- Swiss Super League: 1996-97
- Swiss Cup: 1997
Olympiacos F.C.
- Super League Greece: 1999-2000
5.3. Individual Honours
- Special Panchina d'oro: 1997
- A.C. Milan Hall of Fame
6. Assessment and Legacy
Alberto Bigon is remembered as a prominent figure in Italian football, having made significant contributions both as a player and a manager. As a player, his tactical acumen and goal-scoring ability, particularly during his captaincy at A.C. Milan, cemented his legacy as a versatile and impactful midfielder. His achievements with Milan, including a Serie A title and multiple domestic and European cups, highlight his status as a key component of a successful era for the club.
His transition into management saw him achieve his most celebrated success with S.S.C. Napoli, where he skillfully guided the club to their second Serie A championship, a testament to his leadership and strategic insight, especially in handling a team with star players like Diego Maradona. While his managerial career included stints at various clubs with mixed results, his ability to achieve league titles in different countries, such as with FC Sion in Switzerland and Olympiacos in Greece, underscores his adaptability and coaching prowess. Despite some challenging periods, Bigon's career reflects a dedication to football and a lasting impact through the titles he helped secure.