Mauro Cichero

Luigi Mauro Cichero (16 October 1951 – 20 January 2019) was a footballer who played as a central defender. Born in Italy, he represented Venezuela internationally. He competed in the men's tournament at the 1980 Summer Olympics.

Early life Cichero was born in Genoa, Italy and spent his early life there until he was 14, when his family moved to Venezuela.

Playing career Cichero played professionally in Venezuela for Deportivo Italia, Unión Deportiva Canarias, and ULA Mérida during the 1970s. He made a name for himself in Venezuela thanks to his skill, resulting in the opportunity to go to Italy and went on trial with AC Milan. While he did not make the team, he ended up moving to Serie B club Grosseto.

He also represented the Venezuela national team. His first appearances came at the seven team 1980 Olympic qualifying tournament. They came in 4th did not originally qualify for the 1980 Summer Olympics, however, Argentina was part of the 1980 Summer Olympics boycott, thereby vacating their spot, allowing Venezuela to compete in the Olympic football tournament, where he played three games He also continued to represent the national team afterwards.

Post-playing career After retiring from professional football, he began his coaching career. He began working at the football school of the Colegio Campo Alegre de las Mercedes in Caracas, Venezuela and became a professor of Sport Sciences at a school and established a football program there. In 2003, he was named as the head coach of the St. Gregory's University men's soccer team in Oklahoma. following a battle with cancer.