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| Morgan De Sanctis | |
|---|---|
| Name | Morgan De Sanctis |
| Fullname | Morgan De Sanctis |
| Birth date | 26 April 1977 |
| Birth place | Guardiagrele, Italy |
| Height | 1.90 m |
| Position | Goalkeeper |
| Youthclubs | Juventus; Pescara |
| Seniorclubs | Pescara; Lanciano; Juventus; Chieti; Udinese; Sevilla; Napoli; Roma; Galatasaray |
| Nationalteam | Italy U21; Italy |
Morgan De Sanctis is an Italian former professional football goalkeeper and current coach known for a long career in Serie A and spells abroad, who later transitioned into coaching staff roles. Across a playing career spanning Pescara, Udinese, Sevilla, Napoli, Roma and Galatasaray, he earned senior caps for the Italy national team and participated in major international tournaments before moving into backroom and goalkeeping coaching positions.
Born in Guardiagrele in the Chieti area of Abruzzo, De Sanctis progressed through local youth setups before joining the youth academy of Juventus and later returning to the region with Pescara. During his youth he faced contemporaries from academies at Roma, Milan, Inter, Fiorentina, and Lazio, developing alongside players who later featured for Italy U21 and clubs such as Lazio and Genoa. Scholarship and development years involved matches against academies from Napoli, Bologna, Torino, and Sampdoria, exposing him to coaching philosophies from figures associated with Arrigo Sacchi, Marcello Lippi, Fabio Capello, and regional trainers linked to Pescara youth schemes.
De Sanctis began senior football with Pescara and had loan spells including lower-division clubs such as Chieti and Lanciano. He later joined Juventus in a period that saw the club competing against Milan, Inter, Roma and participating in UEFA Champions League campaigns overseen by managers influenced by Marcello Lippi and Fabio Capello. Establishing himself at Udinese under coaches connected with tactical networks involving Francesco Guidolin and Luigi Delneri, he contributed to Udinese's challenges in Serie A against clubs like Fiorentina, Napoli, Bari, and Parma. A transfer to Sevilla brought him into La Liga competition with fixtures versus Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Atlético Madrid, and participation in UEFA Cup/UEFA Europa League settings with managers from the Spanish football school.
Returning to Italy, De Sanctis signed for Napoli where he featured alongside players who had played at Napoli during the eras of Diego Maradona reverence and modern campaigns under leadership connected to Aurelio De Laurentiis and coaching figures like Walter Mazzarri. A high-profile move to Roma saw him compete domestically and in UEFA Europa League and UEFA Champions League qualifiers against sides such as Porto, Benfica, and Marseille. His final playing move was to Galatasaray in the Süper Lig, engaging with clubs like Fenerbahçe and Beşiktaş before retirement.
De Sanctis represented Italy U21 and later earned senior call-ups to the Italy squad, selected for tournaments such as the UEFA Euro and Confederations Cup cycles. He competed for goalkeeping positions with peers from Gianluigi Buffon, Francesco Toldo, Angelo Peruzzi, Federico Marchetti, and Salvatore Sirigu while under national team managers including Marcello Lippi, Roberto Donadoni, and Cesare Prandelli. His international appearances included friendlies and qualification fixtures, contributing to Italy's preparations for competitions organized by UEFA and FIFA.
As a goalkeeper, De Sanctis was noted for his shot-stopping, reflexes, aerial command and distribution, attributes compared in analysis with contemporaries at clubs like Juventus, Napoli, Roma, and Udinese. Commentators from outlets covering Serie A, La Liga, and Süper Lig highlighted his experience, leadership and professionalism, especially during campaigns under tactical systems related to coaches such as Francesco Guidolin, Walter Mazzarri, and Rudi Garcia. Reception among supporters of Napoli and Roma emphasized his reliability in high-pressure matches against opponents including AC Milan, Inter Milan, FC Barcelona, and Real Madrid.
After retiring, De Sanctis transitioned into coaching and backroom staff roles, joining technical setups connected with clubs like Roma and later engaging in roles that aligned with goalkeeping coaching networks involving figures who have worked at Juventus, Napoli, Galatasaray, and national setups. He collaborated with coaching staffs influenced by personnel such as Eusebio Di Francesco, Walter Mazzarri, and specialists from academies associated with UEFA coaching pathways and goalkeeping education tied to institutions used by FIGC and continental coaching programs.
Off the pitch, De Sanctis's life has ties to Abruzzo and the football communities of Pescara and Chieti, with public appearances and involvement in initiatives linked to former teammates from Udinese, Napoli, Roma, and international teammates from the Italy national team. His legacy is reflected in mentoring younger goalkeepers who progressed into squads at clubs such as Juventus, Inter Milan, AC Milan, Sassuolo, and youth national teams overseen by FIGC structures, and in recognition from supporters across Serie A, La Liga, and Süper Lig.
Category:1977 births Category:Italian footballers Category:Italy international footballers Category:Association football goalkeepers Category:Football coaches