Gian Piero Ventura

Early career

Ventura began his career as a coach in the Blucerchiati's youth system, then becoming an assistant coach in 1979. He left Sampdoria in 1981 to pursue a head coaching career, starting from several amateur teams from Liguria. In 1985, he achieved his first promotion to a professional league with Albenga and Entella. In 1987, Ventura became head coach of Spezia in Serie C1, but did not complete the season. Two poor seasons with Centese, characterized by a sacking, a reappointment and finally a relegation to Serie C2, were followed by a three-year tenure as Pistoiese boss in the Interregionale, ended with a promotion to Serie C2 in his second season and a fourth place in the third. In 1993, he became head coach of Sicilian Serie C1 team Giarre, where he achieved an impressive fourth place, currently the best ever result ever achieved by the club. In 1993, Ventura was appointed by Maurizio Zamparini to coach Venezia of Serie B. In his first season, Ventura obtained a good sixth place, but this was not followed by an improvement in results in his second season, which ended with his sacking. In 1995, Ventura returned to Serie C1 at the helm of Lecce, which he led to two consecutive promotions up to Serie A. In 1997, he joined Cagliari, which he led to a quick return to Serie A. In 1998–99 he finally made his personal Serie A debut, leading Cagliari to a 12th-place finish.

2000s

During the 1999–2000 season, he agreed a return at Sampdoria, this time as…

Lecce

Serie C1: 1995–96 Entella

Campionato Interregionale/Serie D: 1984–85 Pistoiese

Campionato Interregionale/Serie D: 1990–91