Villiam Vecchi, Milan legend and former Real Madrid goalkeeping coach, has died
Italian Villiam Vecchi, former goalkeeper of European champion Milan (1969) and former goalkeeper coach of Real Madrid, among other teams, died on Wednesday at the age of 73.
Vecchi (1948) played in the ranks of the rossoneri for seven seasons, from 1967 to 1974, during which he managed to defeat a European Cup Winners’ Cup in Greece, that of 1973 against Leeds United, which carries his name thanks to a performance that went down in Milan history.
In his career as goalkeeper coach, Vecchi, who discovered Gianluigi Buffon during his time at Parma, was part of Carlo Ancelotti’s staff in Milan (2001-2009) and Real Madrid (2013-2015), with whom he won three Champions Leagues (2003 and 2007 with Milan, 2014 with Real Madrid).
“Always close to Milan, always ‘rossoneri’. The “hero of Thessaloniki” recognizes his parades from up there. Infinite emotion among all AC Milan fans following the death of Villiam Vecchi. Condolences to the family of our historic number 1 and goalkeeping coach, European champion 2003 and 2007″, wrote the Milan club on its Twitter account.
Official press release: fallecimiento by Villiam Vecchi.#Real Madrid
— Real Madrid CF (@realmadrid) August 3, 2022
Real Madrid also mourned “deeply” the death of Villiam Vecchi, treated “its condolences and affection to his family, his teammates, his clubs and all those close to him”.
“During the two seasons he was part of the Real Madrid coaching staff with Carlo Ancelotti as coach, Villiam Vecchi won a European Cup, a Club World Cup, a European Super Cup and a Copa del Rey… May he rest in peace,” the Madrid club said in a statement.