Walter Zenga (born 28 April 1960) is a famous Italian football manager and former player. He was a top goalkeeper for Inter Milan for many years. He also played for the Italian national team.

During his time as a player, Zenga was part of the Italian team that finished fourth at the 1984 Olympics. He was also the main goalkeeper for Italy when they finished third in the 1990 FIFA World Cup. In that World Cup, he set a record for not letting in any goals for a very long time. Many experts think Zenga is one of the best goalkeepers ever. He won the IFFHS World's Best Goalkeeper award three times.

After he stopped playing, Zenga tried acting in an Italian TV show. He also worked as a football expert on TV. Since 1998, he has been a head coach. He has managed football clubs in many countries, including the United States, Italy, and England.

Playing Career Highlights

Walter Zenga started his professional football journey in 1978. He played for smaller Italian teams like Salernitana and Savona.

Time at Inter Milan

Zenga joined Inter Milan in 1982. At first, he was a backup goalkeeper. But he played well in the Coppa Italia (Italian Cup). Because of his good play, he became Inter's main goalkeeper in the 1983–84 season. He let in very few goals that year.

Zenga quickly became a fan favorite at Inter. He was known for his skills and his love for the team. He became one of the best goalkeepers in Italy. This led to him being called up for the 1986 World Cup.

In the 1988–89 season, Inter Milan had a fantastic year. With new players like Andreas Brehme and Lothar Matthäus, they won the league title. They set a record with 58 points. Zenga was key to this success, letting in only 19 goals.

Zenga helped Inter win the UEFA Cup twice. They won in 1991 and again in 1994. The 1994 win was his last season with the club. For three years in a row (1989–1991), he was named the best goalkeeper in the world. This award came from IFFHS, a group that tracks football history and statistics.

After Inter, Zenga played for Sampdoria and Padova.

Playing in the United States

In 1997, Walter Zenga moved to the United States. He joined the New England Revolution in Major League Soccer. He quickly became a star player.

He helped the Revolution reach the playoffs for the first time ever. He was named the team's Most Valuable Player in 1997. Fans loved him, and a supporters' group even named him "Man of the Year."

Zenga first announced his retirement in 1998 to try acting. But he soon returned to the Revolution. He became their head coach in August 1998.

Player-Coach Role

In 1998, Zenga made history. He became the first player-coach in the MLS. This meant he was both playing as a goalkeeper and managing the team. He led the Revolution for part of the 1999 season before leaving the club.

International Football Career

Walter Zenga played 58 times for the Italy national football team. He played for the senior team between 1987 and 1992. During this time, he let in very few goals. He also kept many "clean sheets," meaning he didn't let any goals in during those games. These numbers are a record for the Italian national team.

He was part of the Italian team at the 1984 Olympics. Italy finished fourth in that tournament. He was also in Italy's squad for the 1986 FIFA World Cup.

UEFA European Championship 1988

Zenga became Italy's main goalkeeper under manager Azeglio Vicini. He played in all four of Italy's matches at the 1988 UEFA European Championships. Italy reached the semi-finals of the competition.

FIFA World Cup 1990

Zenga was the first-choice goalkeeper when Italy hosted the World Cup in 1990. He helped the team finish in third place. During this tournament, he set an amazing record. He had five games in a row without letting in a goal. This meant he went 518 minutes without conceding, which is still a World Cup record today.

His amazing run ended in the semi-finals against Argentina. After a 1–1 draw, Argentina won on penalties. Italy then won the third-place match against England.

After 1992, a new manager, Arrigo Sacchi, took over Italy. Zenga was no longer chosen for the national team.

Playing Style and Nicknames

Walter Zenga was known as a very athletic and strong goalkeeper. He was called Deltaplano (which means "Hang glider"). This nickname came from his amazing ability to stop shots. He was quick, elegant, and agile. He could make spectacular saves.

He was also nicknamed L'Uomo Ragno (which means "Spider-Man"). This nickname came from a song. In 1992, Zenga sang a line from an Italian song called "Someone killed Spider-Man." This led fans and experts to call him like the Marvel Comics character.

Zenga was known for his strong mind and leadership on the field. He was also famous for his lively celebrations.

Managerial Career

After retiring as a player, Zenga started his coaching career.

Early Coaching Roles

Zenga first coached the New England Revolution in the US in 1998. After leaving the MLS, he coached a small Italian team called Brera.

In 2002, he moved to Romania. He managed Naţional București and then FCSB. With FCSB, he won the Romanian league title in 2005. He also led them to the Round of 16 in the 2004–05 UEFA Cup.

In 2005, Zenga became the coach of Red Star Belgrade in Serbia. He led them to win both the national league and the national cup in 2006. He then coached Gaziantepspor in Turkey and Al-Ain in the United Arab Emirates. He also had a second short time coaching Dinamo București in Romania.

Coaching in Italy

In 2008, Zenga returned to Italy to manage Catania. He helped them avoid being moved down to a lower league. He was praised for his focus on planning free kicks.

In 2009, he became the manager of Palermo. This was a surprise because Palermo and Catania are big rivals. He started well, but after a few disappointing games, he left the club in November 2009.

Coaching in the Middle East

Zenga then coached in the Middle East. He managed Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia in 2010. After that, he coached Al-Nasr in the UAE from 2011 to 2013. He also managed Al Jazira in the UAE.

Return to England

On 30 July 2016, Zenga was named head coach of Wolverhampton Wanderers in England. This was a new challenge for him. He made several new player signings for the team.

His first game was a 2–2 draw. Wolves then had a good start, going six games without losing. Zenga praised his players' spirit. However, after a series of losses, he was dismissed on 25 October 2016.

More Coaching in Italy

Zenga returned to Italy again in 2017 to manage Crotone. The team was moved down to a lower league at the end of the season. He then coached Venezia in 2018.

In March 2020, Zenga became the head coach of Cagliari. His debut was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He managed the team for 13 games before leaving in August 2020.

In 2024, he took on a role as a "club manager" and "brand ambassador" for an Italian club called Siracusa. This was not a coaching role.

Personal Life

Walter Zenga has five children. His first son, Jacopo, also became a footballer. Zenga has two more sons, Nicolò and Andrea, from his second marriage. In 2005, he married Raluca Rebedea from Romania. They have two children, Samira Valentina and Walter Jr. Zenga also became a Romanian citizen in 2012.

Honours and Awards

Walter Zenga has won many awards and titles as both a player and a manager.

As a Player

Inter Milan
- Serie A: 1988–89
- Italian Super Cup: 1989
- UEFA Cup: 1991, 1994
Individual Awards
- IFFHS World's Best Goalkeeper: 1989, 1990, 1991
- UEFA Goalkeeper of the Year: 1990
- Inter Milan Hall of Fame: 2018

As a Manager

FCSB
- Romanian First League: 2004–05
Red Star Belgrade
- SuperLiga: 2005–06
- Serbian Cup: 2005–06

Images for kids

Zenga coaching Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2016

Walter Zenga facts for kids

Contents