Cristian Brocchi is an Italian football manager and former player, who is the current manager of Italian club Monza. Brocchi previously served as assistant manager at Chinese side Jiangsu Suning, while his previous job was that of head coach of Brescia as well as his former club Milan. As a defensive midfielder, Brocchi was rated for his durability and tackling. He began his career with hometown club Milan, but he struggled to break into the first team as a youngster. He was subsequently loaned to Pro Sesto and Lumezzane, before being sold to Hellas Verona in 1998. His performances for the club earned him a move to Internazionale in 2000, where he also struggled due to injury. He returned to Milan in 2001, and went on to represent the club for the next seven seasons, aside from a season on loan with Fiorentina, during a highly successful period for the club, which saw him win the Serie A and two UEFA Champions League titles, among other trophies. He ended his career in 2013, after five seasons with Lazio, where he won the Coppa Italia twice. At international level, he made his only appearance for the Italy national team in 2006.
Club career
Early career
Starting his career at his native club A.C. Milan youth system, Brocchi was loaned to Pro Sesto and Lumezzane in early years. After struggling to find space in the first team, in 1998, Brocchi was sold to Hellas Verona in Serie B. Brocchi helped the club obtain promotion to Serie A.
Internazionale
After a year in the top-division, Internazionale coach Marcello Lippi signed Brocchi in 2000 following his impressive performances. However, Brocchi and Inter endured a difficult season, as Lippi was sacked after their opening Serie A match, a defeat to Reggina. Marco Tardelli was hired as Lippi's replacement, and he guided the Nerazzurri to a fifth-place finish in Serie A. The following season, new Inter manager Héctor Cúper decided to sell Brocchi. Brocchi later described his time at Inter "as the worst experience ever had", citing the lack of support from the club while injured.
Brocchi was loaned to Fiorentina in July 2005, with a view to a permanent deal at the end of the season. However, at the end of 2005–06, he returned to Milan, partly as a result of the problems Milan faced in finding new recruits due to the 2006 Italian football scandal.
Milan (third spell)
Brocchi made a career high 29 Serie A appearances in the 2006–07 season. Although Emerson arrived in the 2007–08, Brocchi continued to appear regularly making 24 appearances, 10 as starter, effectively becoming manager Carlo Ancelotti's first choice replacement in midfield.
Lazio
Milan and Lazio reached an agreement for a permanent transfer for Brocchi on 29 August 2008. He signed a three-year deal with Lazio and just cost Lazio a nominal transfer fee. His first season was successful as he won the Coppa Italia, Lazio's fifth Coppa Italia title. Following the 2012–13 season, Brocchi and Lazio announced his retirement due to on-going injury problems.
On 12 April 2016, Brocchi was appointed the head coach of Milan for his first senior managerial position, after previously serving as the coach of the Milan youth team, replacing Siniša Mihajlović after his sacking. On 28 June 2016, Brocchi was replaced by Vincenzo Montella. Brocchi served as head coach of Serie B club Brescia during the 2016–17 season, being removed from his managerial duties on 12 March 2017 due to poor results.
