Former Inter coach Luigi Simoni turned 80 years old yesterday and his former club wanted to mark the occasion and send their best wishes.

The club released the following statement on their official website:

“A gentleman above all and then a coach in the recollection of all fans, Interisti or otherwise. This is Luigi Simoni, known to all as Gigi.

In the summer of 1997, he was the man picked by Massimo Moratti to lead the Nerazzurri after a long career spent at sides such as Napoli, Genoa, Lazio and Cremonese among others. That was the year when the best player in the world Luis Nazario da Lima Ronaldo arrived at Inter.

That star-studded Inter side remains fresh in the memory of all Interisti and the players who were involved, paying testament to how popular Simoni remains. He was in charge of 73 matches between 1997 and 1999. Highlights included winning the UEFA Cup in Paris against Lazio, a magnificent 0-3 #DerbyMilano win, defeating Real Madrid 3-1 in the Champions League…iconic moments in Club history.

Best wishes to Gigi Simoni on the day of his 80th birthday from the Club, Inter Forever and the entire world of the Nerazzurri!”