Mario Beretta

Beretta was born in Milan. He had a short career as a footballer, playing only in the 1976–77 season for Pro Sesto and in that 1978–79 for Rovellasca in Serie D.

In 1982, aged 23, he became a coach for the amateur team Abbiategrasso's youth squad, and in 1984 for Monza's. He was also a successful School Teacher in the mid-eighties for Istituto Gonzaga and Istituto Leopardi in Milan. His first team role came in 1994 for amateur side Corsico, whereas his first professional appearance came the next year for Pro Patria, followed by Saronno, Como and Lumezzane. After three successful seasons with Varese of Serie C1, Beretta was signed by Ternana of Serie B. An exciting debut in 2002–03 was followed by a sacking the next season. In 2004–05, Serie A club Chievo Verona called him to replace Luigi Delneri. Despite a strong start, Beretta's Chievo slowly but continuously fell down the table, and he was fired three matchdays to the end of the season, with Chievo fully involved in a tough relegation battle, to be replaced by caretaker Maurizio D'Angelo. In 2005–06, he coached successfully Parma, ending in tenth place, then turned out to be seventh following the 2006 Serie A scandal, which consequently led Parma to a UEFA Cup qualifying. Then he coached Siena for the 2006–07 season, but he suffered in the relegation fight until the last matchday. Siena kept its place in Serie A after a dramatic win over S.S. Lazio. Some days later he agreed to leave the club, being replaced by Andrea Mandorlini; however he was reappointed at the helm of the Tuscan side after Mandorlini was sacked on 12 November 2007 following a 3–2 home loss to Livorno. On 18 May…