Massimo Crippa

Massimo Crippa (; born 17 May 1965) is an Italian former professional footballer, who played as a midfielder; he is the current sporting director of Renate. Crippa played for several Italian clubs throughout his career, winning several titles during his spells with Napoli and Parma. At international level, he represented the Italy national football team at the 1988 and the 1996 Summer Olympics.

Club career A determined and physically powerful player, Crippa began his playing career during the 1981–82 season, with A.C. Meda Mobil, in the Prima Categoria, where he spent two seasons in the first squad. He later moved to play in the Eccellenza Lombardy - the sixth tier of Italian club football - with FBC Saronno for two seasons before moving to his hometown club, Seregno. His performances earned him a move to nearby Serie C2 club Pavia in the summer of 1986. After only one season with the club, he moved to Torino in Serie A. In the 1987–88 season he scored three goals for the Turin club in 29 league appearances.

Crippa left Torino in the summer of 1988 to join Napoli. Playing behind Diego Maradona, who was at the peak of his abilities, Crippa joined a strong midfield that also included Alemão, Fernando De Napoli and Francesco Romano. In his first season with the club, Crippa helped Napoli to finish second in Serie A and to win the UEFA Cup, beating VfB Stuttgart in the final. He helped Napoli to fend off the challenge of A.C. Milan to win the Scudetto in the following season. He scored a goal as Napoli defeated Juventus 5–1 in the 1990 Supercoppa Italiana.

Style of play A hard-working and physically strong team-player, Crippa was known for his dedication, power, tenacity and stamina on the pitch, which enabled him to excel as a ball-winner in midfield and support his more creative and offensive-minded teammates.

Managerial career Crippa was appointed the sporting director of Renate in Lega Pro Seconda Divisione in the summer of 2010, a position which he currently holds.

Honours Napoli Serie A: 1989–90 Supercoppa Italiana: 1990 UEFA Cup: 1988–89

Parma UEFA Cup: 1994–95 UEFA Super Cup: 1993