Some celebrations are just unforgettable—moments burned into football’s collective memory. One of those happened in Dortmund, and another in Berlin, when a young Roman ran with arms wide open, shaking his head in disbelief after knocking out Germany and, shortly after, becoming a World Champion. That kid was Fabio Grosso, and now, from the sidelines, he’s still writing big chapters in his football journey.

Two promotions in three years

That 2006 World Cup hero just earned his second promotion to Serie A as a manager in only three years. After a modest playing career with clubs like Parma, Inter Milan, Juventus, and Lyon, Grosso has been quietly building his coaching resume in Italy’s lower leagues, with stints at Bari, Verona, and Brescia.

In 2023, he led Frosinone to the top flight. Then he took charge at Olympique Lyon, though that stint was short-lived—just 7 matches before he got the sack. Now, with Sassuolo, he’s earned promotion again, this time with five games still to go, thanks in part to key players like Armand Laurienté, Domenico Berardi, and Simone Verdi.

“I’m more than just a penalty”

Though many remember him for that iconic penalty in the World Cup final at Berlin’s Olympic Stadium, Fabio Grosso wants people to see the bigger picture. “I’m not just that penalty—I’m the journey that led me there, and everything that came after,” he once told La Repubblica. “That second journey isn’t over yet,” he added, referring to his coaching career.

His time at Lyon is remembered less for results—he only won once—and more for a shocking incident: during a heated derby against Olympique Marseille, the team bus was attacked by ultras, and Grosso was hit in the face by a bottle. The injury required 15 stitches near his eye. “You can still see the scar,” he said in 2023. “It’s not the prettiest patch-up job, but hey—I’m here to talk about it.”