Former AC Milan defender and Italy coach Cesare Maldini has died, his long-time club said on Sunday. He was 84. <br /> <br />Maldini won four Serie A titles during his time with Milan and was skipper of the side in 1963, when the Rossoneri became the first Italian team to win the European Cup. <br /> <br />In all, he put in 412 appearances for AC Milan and moved into coaching when his playing career ended, managing the north Italian club from 1972-74. <br /> <br />He was assistant coach to Enzo Bearzot for Italy's 1982 World Cup triumph in Spain and then led the Azzurri to the quarter-finals in France 16 years later, where they were beaten by the hosts on penalties. <br /> <br />He took charge of Paraguay for the 2002 World Cup but they did not progress beyond the Round of 16 and Maldini subsequently returned to work as a scout for AC Milan. <br /> <br />"His bond to Milan was unbreakable and what's more, there would be a second generation with his son Paolo following in his footsteps and enjoying unrivalled success at the club," AC Milan said in a statement. <br /> <br />"The club president Silvio Berlusconi and the rest of the club will always remember fondly his charisma, kindness and warm smile," the club added.
