Attilio Lombardo

Club career Early career Lombardo started his career at Pergocrema, having been promoted from the youth squad, in Italy's Serie C2, in 1983, only 16 years old, before moving up to the Serie B side Cremonese, in 1985, where he made a name for himself, as a more-than-capable right sided winger under the guidance of manager Tarcisio Burgnich.

Sampdoria He was then sent to Serie A side Sampdoria for a total fee of 4 billion lira. Playing alongside talented players such as Gianluca Vialli, Roberto Mancini, Pietro Vierchowod, Gianluca Pagliuca, and Ruud Gullit, under manager Vujadin Boškov, Lombardo won several domestic and continental trophies with Sampdoria, such as Serie A, the Coppa Italia, the Italian Super Cup, and the Cup Winners' Cup. In the 1988–89 season, he picked up medals for the Coppa Italia in 1989, facing a rejuvenated Napoli side with legendary Argentine attacking midfielder Diego Maradona, only to defeat the Partenopei 4–0. In 1990, he lifted his side to victory in the Cup Winners' Cup, retaining impressive wins against Borussia Dortmund, Monaco and Anderlecht in the final.

Crystal Palace In 1997, Lombardo was on the move again, joining newly-promoted Premiership club Crystal Palace. He instantly became the star player and scored on his debut at Everton. In early 1998, Mark Goldberg assumed control of the club, and manager Steve Coppell moved to the Director of Football post. Lombardo, along with Swedish international Tomas Brolin as an interpreter, was appointed as caretaker player-manager for the rest of the season.

Style of play

Regarded during his career as one of Sampdoria's best-ever wingers, Lombardo was known for his pace, strength, stamina, and work-rate at both ends of the pitch, which allowed him to cover the right flank effectively. He was also noted for his professionalism and dedication, which contributed to a career with few serious injuries, and he was regarded as a consistent player and a key figure in the dressing room.

Managerial career Following his retirement from active football, he remained at Sampdoria until June 2006 as the youth team manager. In the next two years, however, the Primavera squad would achieve reasonable success in the Campionato Nazionale Primavera. In 2006, he was appointed manager of Swiss side Chiasso in the Swiss Challenge League. He resigned in May 2007, citing a lack of motivation. The team was relegated to the third tier of Swiss Football the following season.

In April 2008, he was appointed at the helm of Tuscan Serie C2 club Castelnuovo. He stayed at the club for the remainder of the season, leading the small Tuscan club to escape relegation through the playoffs. Lombardo then moved to Lega Pro Prima Divisione club Legnano for the entire 2008–09 season, and was unable to save his side from relegation to Lega Pro Seconda Divisione, the fourth level of Italian Football.

Lombardo was appointed in July 2009 as the new head coach of Spezia in the Lega Pro Seconda Divisione, but unexpectedly resigned in October, despite his team having attained third place in the league table. Eventually, at the end of the season, Spezia would automatically garner promotion to Serie C1 as runners-up to the title.

In July 2010, Lombardo joined the coaching staff at Manchester City, linking up again with compatriot Roberto Mancini. In 2012, following the departure of Andy Welsh, he was appointed manager of the club's reserve squad; however, after the sacking of Roberto Mancini on 13 May 2013, Lombardo resigned from his position at Manchester City on Wednesday 15 May.

On 30 September 2013, he rejoined Roberto Mancini at Galatasaray, working again as assistant coach. On 7 October 2014, Lombardo became the assistant coach of Schalke 04.

On 21 May 2016, Lombardo became the assistant coach at Torino for head coach Siniša Mihajlović. Mihajlović was sacked on 4 January 2018, along with Lombardo and the rest of his staff.

On 13 March 2019, Lombardo became the assistant coach for the Italy national team, alongside head coach Roberto Mancini.

In 2025, he returned to Sampdoria, joining the coaching staff led by Alberico Evani who guided the Blucerchiati in the final part of the 2024–25 Serie B season.

On 2 November 2025, he was rehired by Sampdoria as a technical collaborator under new head coach Angelo Gregucci. On 9 March 2026, following a 0–3 loss to Frosinone that led to the dismissal of Gregucci and his assistant Salvatore Foti, Lombardo was appointed temporarily in charge of the first team.

Personal life His son Mattia followed in his footsteps, being a product of Sampdoria's youth section.

Career statistics Club

International

Scores and results list Italy's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Lombardo goal.

Honours Player Sampdoria Serie A: 1990–91 Coppa Italia: 1993–94 Supercoppa Italiana: 1991 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup: 1989–90 European Cup runner-up: 1991–92 European Super Cup runner-up: 1990

Juventus Serie A: 1996–97 Supercoppa Italiana: 1995 UEFA Champions League: 1995–96; runner-up: 1996–97 UEFA Super Cup: 1996 Intercontinental Cup: 1996

Lazio Serie A: 1999–2000 Coppa Italia: 1999–2000 Supercoppa Italiana: 2000 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup: 1998–99 UEFA Super Cup: 1999

Individual Coppa Italia top scorer: 1993–94 (5 goals)