Zamparini  coached the Sicilian club from 2002-18, helping him advance to Serie A for the first time in 31 years. Palermo to participate in European competitions five times and reach the final of the Italian Cup in 2011. He previously owned Venezia, which he led from the fourth division to promotion to Serie A in 1997.

"Palermo's family is united in their grief over the death of Zamparini , the most iconic president in the history of the team, who will always be in the heart of every fan," Palermo said on her website.

Zamparini was famous for his relationship with the coaches, firing more than 40 during his tenure in Palermo.

However, he had taken some very important players in the Sicilian team, such as the former Italian international central defender, Andrea Barzagli, the Uruguayan forward, Edinson Cavani, and the Argentine midfielder Paulo Dybala, whom he later sold to Juventus.

"It is a very sad day for me ... One of the first people who trusted me left. THANKS for everything Zamparini, in the two years I lived in Palermo you have been much more than my president, you have treated like a son and you always helped me. I will never forget you. "

This is the message that Javier Pastore, former Argentine playmaker of the rosanero, dedicated to Maurizio Zamparini on his Instagram account. Of few words Josip Ilicic, another former rosanero, who wrote: "Rip" and "Thank you".