Mauricio Taricco

Summary

Mauricio Ricardo Taricco (born 10 March 1973) is an Argentine football coach and former professional footballer who is assistant coach at French side Bordeaux.[1]

Mauricio Taricco
Taricco in a training session as assistant manager of Brighton & Hove Albion in 2011
Personal information
Full name Mauricio Ricardo Taricco
Date of birth (1973-03-10) 10 March 1973 (age 51)
Place of birth Buenos Aires, Argentina
Height 1.74 m (5 ft 8+12 in)
Position(s) Full-back
Team information
Current team
Bordeaux (assistant manager)
Youth career
Argentinos Juniors
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1993–1994 Argentinos Juniors 21 (0)
1994–1998 Ipswich Town 137 (4)
1998–2004 Tottenham Hotspur 130 (2)
2004 West Ham United 1 (0)
2005–2009 Villasimius
2009 Castiadas
2010–2012 Brighton & Hove Albion 15 (0)
Total 304 (6)
Managerial career
2009–2013 Brighton & Hove Albion (assistant manager)
2013–2015 Sunderland (assistant manager)
2015–2016 AEK Athens (assistant manager)
2016 Real Betis (assistant manager)
2017 Shanghai Shenhua (assistant manager)
2018– Bordeaux (assistant manager)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Taricco, whose father was Italian and hailed from Sardinia,[2] was as a full-back capable of playing as right or left back who initially played from 1993 to 2004. He began his career in his native Argentina for Argentinos Juniors before transferring to England where he spent the next 10 years representing Ipswich Town, Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United. He suffered a hamstring injury on his debut for West Ham and agreed to cancel his contract after the game, retiring from professional football. He later playing for lower league Italian side A.S. Villasimius and Castiadas before later joining Brighton & Hove Albion as an assistant manager to Gus Poyet in 2009. He also resumed his professional football career in the 2010–11 season before retiring for the second time at the end of the 2012–13 season.

He would go on to follow Poyet to Sunderland, AEK Athens, Real Betis, Shanghai Shenhua and Bordeaux during the following seasons.[3]

Playing career edit

Argentinos Juniors edit

Taricco began his football career at Buenos Aires club Argentinos Juniors, coming through the club's famous youth team to make his first team debut in 1993. After only one season in the first team, he moved to English side Ipswich Town.[4]

Ipswich Town edit

In September 1994, Taricco joined Ipswich Town for around £150,000 after then Ipswich Town manager John Lyall looked for new players in South America.[5] He was signed alongside Uruguayan Adrián Paz, who played at Estudiantes de La Plata. Both were represented by FIFA agent, Marcelo Houseman, brother of 1978 FIFA World Cup champion René Houseman.[6]

Taricco made his debut in a League Cup match which ended as a 3–0 home loss against Bolton Wanderers, playing the whole match[7] in his sole appearance of the season, which saw Ipswich Town relegated from Premier League. On 26 August 1995, Taricco played his first league match under manager George Burley, who replaced Lyall midway in the previous season. The match against West Bromwich Albion ended 0–0.[8] He quickly made an impression as a solid defender blessed with immaculate passing ability and considerable attacking flair, and he went on to make 47 appearances that season.[9]

During the 1996–97 season, Taricco scored his first goal for Ipswich Town in a 5–2 win over Reading[10] and his second on 8 March 1997 in a 1–0 away win over Stoke City. His performances earned him the 1997 Ipswich Town F.C. Player of the Year, an award he received on 18 April, just before a match against rivals Norwich City. Taricco confirmed his popularity by scoring in that match, which ended in a 2–0 win for Ipswich Town.[11] Ipswich finished in fourth place in the 1996–97 First Division, and were beaten by Sheffield United on away goals in the 1997 First Division play-offs semi-final. He further endeared himself to the Ipswich fans by leaving the Portman Road pitch in tears after the elimination.[12] In total, Taricco played a 53 matches during the season.

In the 1997–98 season, Taricco made another 53 appearances for Ipswich Town, reaching the quarter-finals of the 1997–98 Football League Cup before losing to Chelsea in a penalty shoot-out after a 2–2 draw in regular time, in which Taricco scored.[13] He also scored in the 2–0 win against Manchester United in the previous round.[14] Ipswich Town again reached the First Division play-offs after finishing fifth, but lost twice to Charlton Athletic in the semi-finals.[15] That season, Taricco was named in the PFA Team of the Year.[16]

Taricco continued his good form at the start of 1998–99, which included a spectacular goal following a run from inside his own half against Crystal Palace on 3 October 1998.[17] His final game for the club turned out to be a 2–0 win against Wolverhampton Wanderers on 3 November 1998, when he was stretchered off in the last few minutes. He played a total of 137 league matches, scoring four goals.[18]

In November 1998, Ipswich Town accepted an offer of £1.75m for Taricco from Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur.[19]

Tottenham Hotspur edit

After injury delayed his transfer for a month,[20] Taricco joined Tottenham Hotspur on 4 December 1998, becoming George Graham's first signing at the club.[21] His Premier League debut came on 16 January 1999 against Wimbledon in a goalless draw,[22] with his full debut being another 0–0 draw on 6 February 1999 against Coventry City.[23] Taricco ended his first season with 13 league appearances. He did not take part in the 1998–99 Football League Cup triumph since he was cup-tied.[24]

Taricco earned a regular starting role as left-back ahead of Justin Edinburgh and Paolo Tramezzani. He played a total of 29 league matches in the 1999–2000 season.[22] In the summer of 2000, after Ben Thatcher was signed as left-back option, Ipswich Town tried to sign Taricco back, but the deal was rejected.[21] The Argentinian played only five times in the 2000–01 season, being sidelined for most of the season due to injuries. He returned as a starter in the following season as a right-back, filling in for the injured Stephen Carr and playing 30 Premier League matches in the season, even though he missed five matches for consecutive sending offs against Manchester United and Chelsea in March 2002.[22] Taricco also played in the 2002 Football League Cup Final where his side lost to Blackburn Rovers.[25]

Taricco faced greater competition during the 2002–03 season as Carr recovered from his injury, returning to the left-back position. He played only 21 Premier League matches and scored his first goal for Spurs in a 3–2 loss against Liverpool.[26] Following Thatcher's departure to Leicester City, Taricco played 32 league matches during the 2003–04 season, scoring once against Leeds United early on 23 August 2003.[27] His temperament came into question following spats with Chelsea's Scott Parker and Damien Duff in April 2004, and Taricco was banned for the first three matches of the 2004–05 season.[22]

In the summer of 2004, Taricco was overlooked by new manager Jacques Santini, who favoured the recently signed Erik Edman at left-back. He also failed to impress Martin Jol, who was appointed in November 2004 and was released in the same month.[28]

West Ham United edit

On 19 November 2004, shortly after being made a free agent, Taricco signed for West Ham United.[28] He made his debut for the League Championship club as a starter in the Dockers derby against Millwall only two days after signing, but tore his hamstring and was replaced in the first half.[29] Although the injury would have had him sidelined for eight weeks, he offered to have his contract with the club cancelled, which the club accepted, claiming he would not be able to contribute if he was having treatment for over two months. At the time, Alan Pardew, his manager, commented that it was one of the most honest things he had ever known a footballer to do.[30] Shortly after, he confirmed his retirement from professional football.[12]

Italian amateur football edit

Taricco, who had stated his desire to play in Italian football during his Tottenham Hotspur tenure,[2] joined amateur Sardinian club AS Villasimius in 2005, who then competed in Eccellenza Sardinia, in the fifth tier of Italian football. He stayed at the club for four years before joining Castiadas, who also played at Eccellenza Sardinia, on 6 August 2009.[31] In November 2009, he left Castiadas in order to become assistant manager to Gus Poyet, his former teammate at Tottenham Hotspur, at EFL League One club Brighton & Hove Albion.[32]

Brighton & Hove Albion edit

Despite joining Brighton & Hove Albion as assistant manager, Taricco returned to professional football after almost six years from his last professional appearance starting at left-back for an FA Cup fixture against Woking on 16 November 2010, with Brighton winning the game on penalties. He was sent off for a second bookable offence after 105 minutes.[33] Taricco went on to play four league matches as Brighton won the League One title.

After playing less than an hour in a 3–1 defeat against Crystal Palace on 27 September 2011 and not featuring in the playing squad against his former club Ipswich Town, Taricco announced his retirement from professional football on 3 October 2011,[34] only to come back out of retirement weeks after when he played against Birmingham City on 29 October.[35] He was sent off again, this time receiving a straight red card, during the 3–0 away defeat to Championship League leaders Southampton on 19 November.[36][37] Taricco played his last match in a 3–0 win against Southampton on 2 January 2012.[38]

Coaching career edit

On 10 November 2009, it was announced that Taricco would be assistant manager to Gus Poyet at English team Brighton & Hove Albion.[39] During his spell, he also played 15 league matches after being away from professional football for six years. When manager Poyet left the club in June 2013, Taricco also left his position.[40]

On 8 October 2013, Taricco joined Sunderland, again as assistant manager to Poyet.[41] When Poyet was sacked on 16 March 2015 after a poor run of results, Taricco also left the club.[42]

Taricco followed Poyet at AEK Athens when the Uruguayan has been named manager of the Greek club on 30 October 2015.[43]

After Poyet was hired by Real Betis on 9 May 2016, Taricco joined the Spanish club as assistant manager.[44]

On 29 November 2016, Taricco joined Shanghai Greenland Shenhua, still again as assistant coach to Poyet.[45]

On 20 January 2018, after Poyet was named manager at Bordeaux, he joined the club as an assistant coach alongside Fernando Menegazzo.[1]

Honours edit

Tottenham Hotspur

Individual

References edit

  1. ^ a b "Bordeaux appoint Poyet as new boss". 20 January 2018. Archived from the original on 16 February 2018.
  2. ^ a b "Tarrico admits Italian ambition". Archived from the original on 16 February 2018.
  3. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 12 May 2014. Retrieved 16 February 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  4. ^ "Ficha Estadistica de MAURICIO TARICCO -mauricio ricardo taricco- (Perfil, ficha, profile, stats)".
  5. ^ Abrahall, Csaba. "When Saturday Comes – Ceased anglian". www.wsc.co.uk. Archived from the original on 16 February 2018.
  6. ^ Ferris, Ken (1 March 2013). Football Fanatic: A Record Breaking Journey Through English Football. Random House. ISBN 9781780578019. Archived from the original on 16 February 2018 – via Google Books.
  7. ^ "Ipswich Town v Bolton Wanderers, 21 September 1994". Archived from the original on 3 April 2016.
  8. ^ "3. Mauricio Taricco". www.spurs2k.20m.com. Archived from the original on 19 October 2004.
  9. ^ "Mauricio TARICCO - Brief biography of his career at Portman Road. - Ipswich Town FC".
  10. ^ Dawes, Sam (5 February 2017). "A moment of nostalgia – Ipswich Town vs Reading 1996". Archived from the original on 16 February 2018.
  11. ^ "Taricco taunts tepid Norwich". Independent.co.uk. 19 April 1997. Archived from the original on 16 February 2018.
  12. ^ a b "Argentines in England Part Three: The Four Retirements of Mauricio Taricco". 13 November 2017. Archived from the original on 16 February 2018.
  13. ^ "Ipswich Town v Chelsea, 07 January 1998". Archived from the original on 13 March 2015.
  14. ^ "Ipswich Town 2 v 0 Manchester United, League Cup 3rd Round, 14th October 1997, Season 1997–1998, Venue:Portman Road". www.mufcinfo.com. Archived from the original on 7 August 2016.
  15. ^ "England 1997/98". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 8 August 2007.
  16. ^ Hugman, Barry J., ed. (1998). The 1998–99 Official PFA Footballers Factfile. Queen Anne Press. p. 352. ISBN 1-85291-588-9.
  17. ^ Hatherall, Chris (2 October 1998). "Tel stars crash into Venus". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 16 December 2016.
  18. ^ "Ficha Estadistica de MAURICIO TARICCO -mauricio ricardo taricco- (Perfil, ficha, profile, stats)". Archived from the original on 11 October 2015. Retrieved 16 February 2018.
  19. ^ "Football: Graham's first buy for Spurs". Independent.co.uk. 5 November 1998. Archived from the original on 12 May 2022.
  20. ^ Staff and Agencies (5 November 1998). "Spurs snag on Taricco". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 7 May 2014.
  21. ^ a b "Spurs say no to Taricco bid 10 August 2000 - News - tottenhamhotspur.com". www.tottenhamhotspur.com.
  22. ^ a b c d "Mauricio TARICCO – Biography of his football career at Spurs. – Tottenham Hotspur FC". Sporting Heroes. Archived from the original on 16 February 2018.
  23. ^ "Coventry escape as Spurs mis-fire". 6 February 1999.
  24. ^ "Football: Nielsen header caps drama". Independent. 22 March 1999. Archived from the original on 11 February 2017. Retrieved 8 February 2017.
  25. ^ "Cole strike stuns Spurs". 24 February 2002.
  26. ^ "Liverpool squeeze past Spurs". BBC Sport. 16 March 2003. Archived from the original on 6 March 2016. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
  27. ^ "Kanoute grabs Spurs winner". BBC Sport. 23 August 2003. Archived from the original on 21 December 2016. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
  28. ^ a b "Released Taricco moves to West Ham". CNN. 19 November 2004. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016.
  29. ^ "Millwall 1–0 West Ham". BBC. 21 November 2004. Retrieved 25 August 2009.
  30. ^ "'Honest' Taricco leaves West Ham". Independent.co.uk. 26 November 2004. Archived from the original on 12 May 2022.
  31. ^ "Castiadas: al via la preparazione per l'Eccellenza – News 24, Cronache dalla Sardegna – L'Unione Sarda.it". 6 August 2009.
  32. ^ "Castiadas: l'ex Tottenham Taricco Torna in Inghilterra – News 24, Cronache dalla Sardegna – L'Unione Sarda.it". 13 November 2009.
  33. ^ "Woking 2–2 Brighton (0–3 pens)". BBC Sport. 16 November 2010. Archived from the original on 16 February 2018. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
  34. ^ "Poyet salutes Albion's finest". The Argus. 3 October 2011. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 3 October 2011.
  35. ^ "Birmingham 0–0 Brighton". BBC News. 29 October 2011.
  36. ^ "Saints stars all a-twitter about Taricco (From Daily Echo)". Dailyecho.co.uk. Archived from the original on 14 October 2013. Retrieved 12 October 2013.
  37. ^ "Southampton 3–0 Brighton". BBC News. 19 November 2011.
  38. ^ Haugstad, Thore (16 February 2018). "Brighton 3 Southampton 0: match report". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 7 April 2012. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
  39. ^ "Poyet is new Albion boss". Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. 10 November 2009. Archived from the original on 12 November 2009. Retrieved 10 November 2009.
  40. ^ "Brighton and Hove Albion: Taricco leaves and Knight stands aside". Brightonandhovenews.org. 26 June 2013. Archived from the original on 30 June 2013. Retrieved 16 July 2013.
  41. ^ "Gus Poyet: Sunderland name Uruguayan as head coach". BBC. 8 October 2013. Archived from the original on 17 October 2015.
  42. ^ Taylor, Loiuse (16 March 2015). "Sunderland sack Gus Poyet and make Steve McClaren No1 summer target". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 16 March 2015. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
  43. ^ "Gus Poyet: AEK Athens appoint former Sunderland boss". BBC Sport. 30 October 2015. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
  44. ^ "Gustavo Poyet, entrenador del Betis para las dos próximas temporadas".
  45. ^ "古斯塔沃·波耶特(Gustav Poyet)正式出任上海绿地申花足球队主教练". (in Chinese)Shanghai Greenland Shenhua Official Site. 29 November 2016. Archived from the original on 1 December 2016.
  46. ^ "Cole strike stuns Spurs". BBC Sport. 24 February 2002. Retrieved 7 July 2020.
  47. ^ Hugman, Barry J., ed. (1998). The 1998–99 Official PFA Footballers Factfile. Harpenden: Queen Anne Press. p. 352. ISBN 978-1-85291-588-9.

External links edit

  • Mauricio Taricco at Soccerbase  
  • (in Spanish) Argentine Primera statistics
  • Official website