'Aeroplane' Montella decides to stop flying

Printer Friendly

Share

Text Size

ROME, July 2, 2009 (AFP) - Former Italy international Vincenzo Montella has decided to retire despite a year remaining on his AS Roma contract, according to Italian agency ANSA.

The 35-year-old striker decided not to join up with his team-mates for the start of pre-season training on Thursday and will instead be put in charge of one of the club's youth teams.

The diminutive former Fulham forward, who was nicknamed the little aeroplane, played 20 times for his country, scoring three goals.

He was part of the Roma team that won the Serie A title in 2001 under now England coach Fabio Capello but with his retirement only Francesco Totti still remains from that title-winning squad.

After beginning his career in Serie C with Empoli and moving up a division to join Genoa, Montella made his name during three seasons at Sampdoria in Serie A, earning himself a 25 million euro move to Roma in 1999.

However, his spell at the club was beset by struggles to hold down a regular first team place, initially becase of the presence of Totti and Gabriel Batistuta and then in later years because coach Luciano Spalletti preferred Totti in a lone striking role.

He became a bit-part player in recent years and went out on loan to both Fulham and Sampdoria but remained a fan favourite due to his habit of scoring against bitter local rivals Lazio.