The Reluctant President and His Humane Vision
Alvaro Marchini’s tenure as AS Roma president from 1968 to 1971 was, by his daughter Simona’s account, an unforeseen entanglement. An Umbrian by birth and a childhood Fiorentina fan, Alvaro was effectively “ensnared” into leading a club steeped in debt and disorganization. Imagine taking the helm of a major football institution only to discover that player medical records were non-existent! This was the landscape Alvaro inherited.
Yet, Marchini emerged as a figure of profound humanity and generosity. He wasn`t the shrewd, calculating executive many might expect. Instead, he cultivated a paternal relationship with his players, offering counsel and protection. This empathy, however, would also lead to deep personal anguish.
A Father`s Grief: The Tragedy of Giuliano Taccola
One particularly poignant memory shared by Simona revolves around Giuliano Taccola, a promising striker. Marchini, aware of Taccola’s health issues, had specifically requested a pause in his playing career from the team doctor and the formidable coach, Helenio Herrera. Their refusal led to a heartbreaking outcome: Taccola tragically collapsed and died in the Cagliari changing rooms at just 25. For Alvaro, this was not merely a club incident but a personal trauma. He subsequently supported Taccola`s family, even completing the construction of a building the young player had started, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to those under his care.
Helenio Herrera: The “Wizard” of Deception
While Alvaro Marchini embodied integrity, his celebrated coach, Helenio Herrera, known as “The Wizard,” presented a stark contrast. Simona Marchini pulls no punches, describing Herrera as a “truly bad character,” “greedy and very stingy,” tethered to the club by an exorbitant, inherited contract. His self-interest, she recalls, bordered on the absurd, with expense reports famously including items like “candle for the Madonna, sports newspaper, mineral water.” One can almost picture the receipts, a testament to an era where even spiritual devotion seemed to have a line item.
Inter Milan`s legendary president, Angelo Moratti, had even warned Alvaro Marchini about Herrera`s demanding nature, admitting he had to leave Inter to be rid of him. The full extent of Herrera`s cunning, however, would manifest in a particularly notorious transfer saga.
The Infamous Juve Deal: A Betrayal
The sale of star players Fabio Capello, Pierino Prati (misremembered in some accounts, but the original article lists Capello, Spinosi, and Landini), and Landini to Juventus infuriated Roma fans. Alvaro Marchini initially resisted, knowing the players` value. But Herrera, with a calculated ruthlessness, convinced the president to sell. He allegedly declared, “Sell, sell, Capello has a low rear end and is all broken, Landini is young but already finished.” A classic Herrera manipulation, designed to diminish their value while positioning himself to benefit.
Once the deal was done, Herrera promptly pivoted, publicly blaming Marchini for selling the club`s best talent for personal gain. This duplicity resulted in angry fans gathering outside the Marchini home, armed with sticks. Alvaro, deeply wounded by the betrayal, learned a bitter lesson about the true nature of “The Wizard.”
A Footballer`s Romance and Its Tumultuous End
Beyond the boardroom battles and pitch-side politics, Simona Marchini`s life intertwined with football in a deeply personal way through her marriage to Francesco “Ciccio” Cordova, a captivating midfielder. They met at a teammate`s wedding, where Cordova, charming and witty, quickly caught her attention. Their first date involved Cordova humorously feigning a stolen car to secure a ride back to Rome with Simona, a “first lie” in a relationship that would prove to be a whirlwind of passion and pain. He even famously arrived late to their own wedding, though he was punctuality itself for their very first rendezvous – a telling early sign, perhaps, of the chaos to come.
Initially, Cordova was a devoted husband and an “exceptional” stepfather to Simona`s daughter, Roberta, from a previous marriage. However, an insidious “pathological jealousy” began to consume him. He would call her relentlessly, up to 28 times a day, isolating her from her beloved art gallery and turning her into what she describes as a “perfect housewife.”
Betrayal and a Turning Point
The relationship reached its breaking point during a period of intense personal hardship for Simona. The tumultuous 1970s in Italy saw her family targeted for potential kidnapping, necessitating a move to London. During this time, Simona endured her fifth miscarriage. Returning to Rome, she discovered Cordova`s infidelity with a relative.
Devastated but resilient, a chance encounter in Cortina with the legendary choreographer Don Lurio proved to be Simona`s unexpected salvation. Her self-deprecating humor and candid recounting of her struggles captivated him, leading to an audition for national broadcaster Rai. Her distinctive character, *Iside Martufoni*, was born, catapulting her into an acclaimed television career.
Cordova, ironically, was far from pleased with her newfound independence and professional success. Their attempts to reconcile faltered under his continued resentment of her career and a stream of provocations about other women. Simona ultimately took a drastic stance, ending the marriage. Yet, in a testament to the enduring complexity of human relationships, the bond between them remains; they communicate regularly, and Cordova often joins Simona, her daughter, and grandson for meals.
An Enduring Passion for the Giallorossi
Decades later, Simona Marchini looks back with a clear perspective, the sharpness of past hurts softened by time but not forgotten. Despite the personal and professional trials intertwined with the world of football, her allegiance to AS Roma remains steadfast. While she can no longer bear the stress of attending matches in person, the passion for the *Giallorossi* endures.
“We are for eternal loves in the family,” she quips, a sentiment that perfectly encapsulates her unique journey—a life where the drama of Italian football, the complexities of family legacy, and the pursuit of personal freedom have converged into a truly extraordinary narrative.