Orazio Russo

Early career

Russo was born in Misterbianco, near Catania, where he grew up. His first team was S.S. Battiati, which plays in Sant'Agata li Battiati. His trainer Enzo Fazio trusted in him and when he was 15 years old he became the leader of the senior team. At the age of 18, he was bought by Calcio Catania. He played in the youth team until 1992, when, then-coach, Giuseppe Caramanno called him for the Serie C1 team.

Catania

After his move to Calcio Catania, he played five matches during his first Serie C1 season. In the 1992–93 season he played 25 matches, scoring 2 goals.

Lecce

In July 1993, Russo was sold by Calcio Catania to U.S. Lecce. He played his first match in Serie A against A.C. Milan: 1–0, on 29 August 1993. Nedo Sonetti, his coach, chose him for the starting lineup and Russo did not disappoint his coach, however, by the end of the season Lecce was relegated. During the following summer, Orazio Russo made a tournée in the United States with Inter Milan, playing just friendlies. He came back to Lecce after this short experience. Lecce was relegated again in 1995, but in 1996 they won Serie C1. During his three-season stay at US Lecce, Russo managed 79 appearances, scoring 3 goals.

Return to Catania

In 1996 Russo returned to Calcio Catania, in Serie C2. However, the season ended with the team losing in the promotion play-off against F.C. Turris. This loss, caused the team to remain in the Italian fourth tier for one more season.…

Russo represented his country for the Italy U-21 Serie C, coached by Roberto Boninsegna. He also played some matches with the Italian military national team.

After retirement, Russo accepted to stay as part of the Catania coaching staff. From then on, he took on several roles at the club, both as first-team assistant and youth coach. On 21 October 2019, he was appointed caretaker manager of the main squad after the dismissal of Andrea Camplone. His caretaking spell ended on 22 October 2019 with the hiring of Cristiano Lucarelli.