The trainer of Lazio's eagle started in the worst possible way: the praises brought to Mussolini
Article by Tudor Belivacă – Published Wednesday, November 19, 2025 10:57 p.m. / Updated Wednesday, November 19, 2025 11:01 p.m.
Giacomo Garruto, the new trainer of the eagle that is used as his mascot Laziofound himself at the center of a controversy even before starting his duties. Old posts on his social media, insulting the club and praising Benito Mussolini, have surfaced.
The adventure of Giacomo Garruto, chosen to make the Lazio eagle fly over the Olympic Stadium before the matches of the Romanian team, started in the worst possible way. Old posts were discovered in which the new coach not only expressed vulgarity against his own club, but also showed nostalgia for the fascist dictator.
Lazio fans discover new Eagles coach's fascist posts: 'How much Italy misses you my dear Benito'
Lazio have yet to specify from which game Garruto will take over, but the choice is already widely contested by supporters and public opinion.
Fans of the team in the Italian capital began digging into Garruto's history and discovered a post in which the new staff member praised the former Italian fascist leader: “How much Italy misses you, my dear Benito,” according to Gazzetta Dello Sport.
Benito Mussolini, Italy's former fascist leader, ruled the country from 1922 to 1943, and he is said to have been a supporter of the club in Rome. Some of the club's supporters, especially the radical ultras, the Irriducibili, took over the figure of the former leader and often made reprehensible gestures imitating the Nazi salute or paying homage to Mussolini.
A controversial precedent
This episode recalls the case of the former trainer, the Spanish Juan Bernabe. He was also embroiled in controversy after being filmed doing the fascist salute in the stands, which earned him a temporary suspension.
However, his final removal took place almost a year ago, after he published on social media a surgical intervention to implant a penile prosthesis.
