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Cristian Bucchi (born 30 May 1977) is an Italian football manager and former player who was most recently the head coach of Serie B club Ascoli. A forward, he was best known for his goal-scoring ability in Serie B during the peak of his career.

Club career

Early career

Bucchi started his career with the Serie D outfit Sambenedettese in 1995 as an 18-year-old. He made 28 appearances in his first proper season, although he scored no goals.

The Serie D outfit released him at the end of the season, and he took the decision to drop down two divisions to the amateur regional leagues (Promozione Marche). From 1996 to 1998, he enjoyed a fine couple of years where he collecting a brilliant 52 goals in 58 games for Settempeda. The club also promoted to 1997–98 Eccellenza Marche. The 21-year-old's promising talent did not go unnoticed and it showed as Serie A outfit Perugia took a very big gamble in some respects for a non-league striker. Soon after that, in a massive change of fortunes for the young forward, he was called up to the Italy U-21's.

Perugia

After his big move to Serie A, he started straight away in his first season for the club as Perugia claimed a mid-table place in the 1998–99 season. He contributed with five league goals and it was a surprise he adapted so quickly, considering he was playing amateur football little over a year before. His second season did not go so well after quite an impressive first season.

He played the 1999–00 season on loan to Vicenza, and scored eleven league goals, which helped his team lift the Serie B title, although they made a quick return to Serie B after failure to avoid relegation the following season.

He returned in 2000 and was ready to start afresh. Coming back to the club and seeing the likes of Ahn Jung-Hwan and Fabrizio Miccoli ahead of him in pecking order, lead to a very disappointing second season for Bucchi, after scoring just once in seven matches for Perugia. He was also suspended in the second half of season due to doping but shorten after appeal, made him available for 2001–02 Serie A. He left the club in October after only 3 appearances.

Bucchi scored nine goals for newly promoted Serie B side Ternana in 2001–02 Serie B, as the new boys stayed up in their first Serie B season of the 21st century.

Catania, Cagliari and Ancona

In the summer of 2002, he was signed by ambitious newly promoted Serie B Sicilian outfit, Catania. However, things did not work out very well for Bucchi, after finding first-team opportunities hard to come by, with the likes of Czech forward Jaroslav Sedivec, Luis Oliveira and Nassim Mendil all above him in pecking order. He would go on to find the net just twice in thirteen appearances for the Sicilian side. He was allowed to leave in the winter and made the move to Cagliari in the winter of 2002–03. Once again, he would have to wait for his chance, although with the likes of Fabrizio Cammarata, David Suazo and Luigi Beghetto already the first choice strikers, Bucchi would only feature ten times in his whole Sardinian career, scoring just once.

Bucchi joined Serie A basement boys Ancona in second half of the 2003–04 season, after a very disappointing half-season in Sardinia, in a part exchange deal which would see Roberto Maltagliati go the opposite way. He scored five goals in 12 matches, a very impressive statistic for some-one in his shoes. However once again and not for the first time in his career, his team suffered relegation, as this time round, Ancona set an all-time low in Serie A, amassing just 13 points all season long.

Bucchi signed with Ascoli in a co-ownership deal with Chievo in August 2004, although Ascoli would be the club he would play for.

King of Serie B

Ascoli

In 2004–05, Bucchi scored 17 goals for Ascoli (incredibly, he scored a 1/3 of the teams Serie B goal total that season, of 51 goals) and just missed one match. He became the club's top goalscorer; just three goals short of Serie B topscorer Gionatha Spinesi. His contribution was a key factor in Ascoli's impressive fourth-placed finish and a place in the seasons play-offs.

Despite Ascoli's play-off defeat to Torino (A 3–1 loss on aggregate), Ascoli, in bizarre circumstances (only 1 of the 3 original promoted teams went up – Genoa demoted to Serie C1, with their involvement in the Serie B match-fixing scandal that season & Torino had to play Serie B football for the following season, due to financial difficulties), gained promotion to Serie A for the first time in more than a decade.

Modena

In the summer of 2005, Ascoli sold their 50% share of Bucchi to Modena.

In 2005–06, Bucchi scored an incredible 29 goals for Modena and in fact, one goal shy of contributing exactly half of the team's league goal total (59 goals). Consequently, he became Serie B topscorer that season, just one goal away from levelling Serie B's all-time topscorer, former Italian international striker Luca Toni, bagging 30 goals in 2003–04 for then-champions, Palermo. Bucchi's contribution would vastly help lead Modena to a play-off place, and scored one goal in the away leg against Mantova. Modena in the end lost out to Mantova, although the result on aggregate was 1–1. This meant that both sides' final league position's would come into the equation (Mantova finished higher than Modena in final league table, meaning Mantova would progress to the final).

Napoli and loans

During the 2006 January transfer window, rumours had linked him to Benfica. After a year with Modena, he was sold to newly promoted, and ambitious Napoli for €4 million. The complicated deal also included Modena sold Tommaso Chiecchi back to Chievo and signed Bucchi outright.

In Naples, he scored eight goals in 29 games and the club finished as runner-up to win promotion to Serie A. His striking partner, Emanuele Calaiò, scored 18.

Siena

Due to a surplus of players at Napoli in the new season, mainly due to new signings Ezequiel Lavezzi and Marcelo Zalayeta, he went to Siena on loan in the summer of 2007.

Bucchi hadn't made an appearance in Serie A since playing for Ancona in second half of 2003–04 season, but he failed to score any goals in his ten appearances for Siena.

Bologna

In January 2008, he was loaned to Bologna as one of their strikers, Danilevičius, asked to leave for more regular playing time. He scored five goals during his five-month stay at Bologna, participating in the rossoblu's successful quest for promotion to the Italian top flight.

Ascoli

In July 2008, he agreed to return to Ascoli in another loan deal.

Cesena (loan)

On 10 July 2009, he was loaned to Cesena. He returned to Napoli at the start of 2010–11 season, and played a few games.

Pescara (loan)

On 4 January 2011, he was loaned to Serie B club Pescara and his contract with Napoli was terminated during the 2011–12 season by mutual consent.

International career

For Italy, he has only represented his country at Under-21 level. During his time in the team (1998–1999), he collected three U-21 caps, scoring one goal.

Coaching career

Pescara

Bucchi became the head coach of the Primavera (under-19) team of Pescara in 2012. He obtained UEFA A License, the second highest in the category, with the highest score in the class in 2012. In March 2013, Bucchi was promoted as the head coach to their first team, following the sacking of previous coach Cristiano Bergodi. The team also hired Bruno Nobili as nominal head coach and de facto as Bucchi's assistant in order to bypass the bureaucratic ban, as UEFA A License was not qualified to coach Serie A and Serie B level but UEFA Pro License qualified. The club also promoted his assistants in the Primavera, Mirko Savini and Ermanno Ciotti to the first team and re-hired Massimo Marini as goalkeeping coach, who left the position along with Giovanni Stroppa in November 2012.

On 10 March 2013, Bucchi debuted as the head coach of the first team of delfini in a 2–1 away loss against Atalanta.

Gubbio

On 12 July 2013, Bucchi joined Gubbio as their head coach. He was fired in January 2014. In summer 2014, while unemplopyed, he obtained the UEFA Pro License.

Torres

In January 2015, Bucchi became the head coach of Torres. The team finished as the 11th of 2014–15 Lega Pro. However, the club later dropped to the bottom of the table due to a match fixing scandal for the matches in the first half of 2014–15 season.

Maceratese

Bucchi was the head coach of Maceratese in 2015–16 Lega Pro season. The team finished as the losing side of the promotion playoffs.

Perugia

On 15 June 2016, Bucchi was hired as the head coach of Serie B club Perugia.

Sassuolo

On 20 June 2017, Bucchi was signed by Sassuolo, replacing Roma-bound head coach Eusebio Di Francesco. On 27 November 2017, Bucchi was sacked.

Benevento

On 6 July 2018, Bucchi was appointed manager of Benevento.

Empoli

On 18 June 2019, Bucchi was appointed manager of Empoli. He was dismissed on 12 November 2019 after the team only gained 3 draws in 6 preceding league games.

Triestina

On 6 July 2021, Bucchi was hired as head coach of Triestina in Serie C. He guided Triestina to fifth place, who were then eliminated by eventual winners Palermo in the promotion playoffs.

Ascoli

On 14 June 2022, Bucchi was announced as the new head coach of Serie B club Ascoli, a former club of his as a player. He was sacked on 4 February 2023 following a negative string of results.

Managerial statistics

As of 4 February 2023

Managerial record by team and tenure

Team	Nat	From	To	Record
				G	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Win %
Pescara		5 March 2013	7 June 2013	11	0	1	10	7	30	−23	000.00
Gubbio		12 July 2013	15 January 2014	20	5	8	7	20	26	−6	025.00
Torres		6 January 2015	30 June 2015	19	5	9	5	18	17	+1	026.32
Maceratese		4 July 2015	15 June 2016	37	15	14	8	48	35	+13	040.54
Perugia		15 June 2016	20 June 2017	47	17	21	9	61	47	+14	036.17
Sassuolo		20 June 2017	27 November 2017	15	4	2	9	10	24	−14	026.67
Benevento		6 July 2018	18 June 2019	42	21	9	12	71	57	+14	050.00
Empoli		18 June 2019	12 November 2019	14	6	5	3	19	16	+3	042.86
Triestina		6 July 2021	13 June 2022	42	16	11	15	45	46	−1	038.10
Ascoli		14 June 2022	4 February 2023	25	7	9	9	31	34	−3	028.00
Total				272	96	89	87	330	332	−2	035.29

References

1. "Comunicato Ufficiale N. 69" [Official Press Release No. 69] (PDF) (in Italian). Lega Serie A. 8 September 2000. p. 3. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 December 2020. Retrieved 10 December 2020.
2. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 December 2013. Retrieved 6 March 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
3. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 December 2013. Retrieved 6 March 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
4. Velluzzi, Francesco (9 January 2003). "Colpo del Venezia: Gargo". La Gazzetta dello Sport (in Italian). Retrieved 5 January 2011.
5. "Busy day of transfers". UEFA. 30 January 2004.
6. "Bucchi all' Ascoli Beffato il Modena". La Gazzetta dello Sport (in Italian). 15 August 2004. Retrieved 5 January 2011.
7. "Ono poised to leave Feyenoord (News collection)". UEFA. 15 December 2005.
8. Malfitano, Mimmo (15 June 2006). "Il Napoli va oltre Bucchi". La Gazzetta dello Sport (in Italian). Retrieved 19 August 2010.
9. S.S.C. Napoli S.p.A. bilancio (financial report and accounts) on 30 June 2007 (in Italian), PDF purchased from Italian C.C.I.A.A.
10. "Calciomercato: l'esito delle operazioni in compartecipazione". Modena FC (in Italian). 13 June 2006. Archived from the original on 27 September 2011. Retrieved 23 August 2010.
11. "E' ufficiale: Bucchi di nuovo bianconero. Domani la presentazione" (in Italian). Ascoli Calcio 1898. 15 July 2008. Archived from the original on 17 July 2011. Retrieved 16 July 2008.
12. "Christian Bucchi è del Cesena" (in Italian). Associazione Calcio Cesena. 10 July 2009. Archived from the original on 13 July 2009. Retrieved 10 July 2009.
13. "Presentato Bucchi" [Present Bucchi]. Delfino Pescara 1936 (in Italian). 4 January 2011. Archived from the original on 27 September 2011. Retrieved 5 January 2011.
14. S.S.C. Napoli S.p.A. bilancio (fiancail report and accounts) on 30 June 2012 (in Italian)
15. "Settore Giovanile: l'organigramma e i ritiri" (Press release) (in Italian). Delfino Pescara 1936. 30 July 2012. Archived from the original on 6 August 2012. Retrieved 5 November 2016.
16. "GLI ABILITATI DEL CORSO PER ALLENATORI DI SECONDA CATEGORIA – UEFA A". Settore Tecnico (Press release) (in Italian). Italian Football Federation. 18 July 2012. Retrieved 8 March 2013.
17. "Denis double ruins Bucchi's debut". Football Italia. JDT Sports Productions. 10 March 2013. Archived from the original on 13 March 2013. Retrieved 16 July 2018.
18. "Cristian Bucchi nuovo allenatore del Gubbio". A.S. Gubbio 1910. 12 July 2013. Archived from the original on 16 January 2014. Retrieved 5 November 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
19. "GLI ABILITATI DEL CORSO MASTER UEFA PRO 2013-2014" (in Italian). FIGC Settore Tecnico. 3 September 2014. Retrieved 5 November 2016.
20. "Cristian Bucchi nuovo tecnico della Torres" (in Italian). S.E.F. Torres 1903. 6 January 2015. Archived from the original on 19 January 2015. Retrieved 5 November 2016.
21. "CLASSIFICHE UFFICIALI DEL CAMPIONATO LEGA PRO 2014–2015" (PDF) (in Italian). Lega Pro. 16 June 2015. Retrieved 5 November 2016.
22. "Comunicato Ufficiale N°17/CFA (2015–16)" (PDF). Corte Federale d'Appello (in Italian). FIGC. 29 August 2015. Retrieved 5 November 2016.
23. "Cristian Bucchi è il nuovo allenatore del Perugia" (Press release) (in Italian). A.C. Perugia Calcio. 15 June 2016. Archived from the original on 8 November 2016. Retrieved 5 November 2016.
24. "Official: Bucchi new Sassuolo Coach". Football Italia. London: Tiro Media. 20 June 2017. Retrieved 16 July 2018.
25. "Cristian Bucchi è il nuovo tecnico del Sassuolo. Mercoledì la presentazione" (Press release) (in Italian). U.S. Sassuolo Calcio. 20 June 2017. Archived from the original on 15 January 2018. Retrieved 16 July 2018.
26. "Official: Sassuolo dismiss Bucchi". Football Italia. London: Tiro Media. 27 November 2017. Retrieved 16 July 2018.
27. "Comunicato Ufficiale" (Press release) (in Italian). U.S. Sassuolo Calcio. 27 November 2017. Archived from the original on 3 December 2017. Retrieved 16 July 2018.
28. "Perfezionato l'accordo con Mister Bucchi e lo staff tecnico" (Press release) (in Italian). Benevento Calcio. 6 July 2018. Retrieved 16 July 2018.
29. "Official: Empoli appoint Bucchi". Football Italia. 18 June 2019.
30. "Comunicato stampa" (Press release) (in Italian). Empoli F.C. 12 November 2019.
31. "UN TECNICO GIOVANE MA CON IMPORTANTI ESPERIENZE ALLE SPALLE: CRISTIAN BUCCHI E' IL NUOVO ALLENATORE DELL'UNIONE!" (in Italian). Triestina. 6 July 2021. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
32. "CRISTIAN BUCCHI NUOVO ALLENATORE DELL'ASCOLI" [Cristian Bucchi new Ascoli head coach.] (in Italian). Ascoli Calcio 1898. 14 June 2022. Retrieved 14 June 2022.
33. "MISTER BUCCHI SOLLEVATO DALL'INCARICO" (in Italian). Ascoli Calcio 1898 F.C. 4 February 2023. Retrieved 4 February 2023.
34. Cristian Bucchi coach profile at Soccerway

External links

• Cristian Bucchi at TuttoCalciatori.net (in Italian)

• 1977 births
• Living people
• Italian men's footballers
• AC Perugia Calcio players
• LR Vicenza players
• Ternana Calcio players
• Catania FC players
• Cagliari Calcio players
• AC Ancona players
• Ascoli Calcio 1898 FC players
• Modena FC 2018 players
• SSC Napoli players
• US Sambenedettese players
• Bologna FC 1909 players
• Siena FC SSD players
• AC Cesena players
• Delfino Pescara 1936 players
• Serie A players
• Serie B players
• Serie D players
• Italy men's under-21 international footballers
• Men's association football forwards
• Italian football managers
• Delfino Pescara 1936 managers
• US Sassuolo Calcio managers
• Benevento Calcio managers
• Empoli FC managers
• US Triestina Calcio 1918 managers
• Ascoli Calcio 1898 FC managers
• Serie A managers
• Serie B managers
• Serie C managers
• Footballers from Rome
• Doping cases in association football