Former AC Milan defender, Italy coach Cesare Maldini dies aged 84

Former AC Milan defender and Italy coach Cesare Maldini has died at the age of 84.

Born in Trieste in 1932, Maldini won four Serie A titles with Milan, as well as their first European Cup in 1963, as a player. He then managed the club between 1972-1974.

He was capped 14 times by Italy.

In 1996, he became the coach of Italy - with son Paolo captaining the team - before going on to lead Paraguay in the 2002 World Cup.

AC Milan tweeted on Saturday: “Goodbye dear Cesare. Today the world loses a great man and we lose a page of our history.”

Maldini was also the manager of Italy at Under-21 level, winning the European Championships a record three times in a row from 1992 to 1996.

He took the senior squad to the 1998 World Cup quarter-finals and led Paraguay at the 2002 World Cup.

There is now a third generation of Maldini at Milan, as his grandson Christian plays for the youth team.

Born on February 5, 1932, Cesar was a beloved figure in Italian football for his sweet nature and ever-present smile, reports football-italia.net.

He played 347 games in the Milan jersey from 1954 to 1966, scoring three goals, while he was also captain in 1962-63.

His management career could not have started stronger, as he was assistant manager to Enzo Bearzot when Italy won the World Cup in 1982.