Mauricio Taricco

Mauricio Taricco

Personal information
Full name	Mauricio Ricardo Taricco
Date of birth	10 March 1973 (1973-03-10)
Place of birth	Buenos Aires, Argentina
Height	1.74 m (5 ft 8 1⁄2 in)
Playing position	Defender
Club information
Current club	Brighton & Hove Albion (Assistant manager)
Youth career
	Argentinos Juniors
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
1993–1994	Argentinos Juniors	21	(0)
1994–1999	Ipswich Town	189	(7)
1999–2004	Tottenham Hotspur	158	(2)
2004	West Ham United	1	(0)
2005–2009	A.S. Villasimius
2010–	Brighton & Hove Albion	12	(0)
Teams managed
2009–	Brighton & Hove Albion (Assistant manager)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 19:34, 17 December 2011 (UTC). † Appearances (Goals).

Mauricio Ricardo Taricco (born 10 March 1973 in Buenos Aires) is an Argentinian professional footballer and football coach who is currently assistant manager to Gus Poyet at Football League Championship team Brighton & Hove Albion. Taricco notably played Premier League football for Tottenham Hotspur, having also appeared for Argentinos Juniors, Ipswich Town, West Ham United and A.S. Villasimius.

Playing career

Argentinos Juniors

Taricco began his football career at Argentinos Juniors in Buenos Aires in 1993, he came through the club's famous youth team to make his first team debut in 1993. After only one season in the first team he signed with FIFA agent Marcelo Houseman who made the transfer to Ipswich Town in England.

Ipswich Town

Taricco arrived at Ipswich Town from Argentinos Juniors for around £150,000 in September 1994, making his debut soon after in a desperate 3-0 home defeat by Bolton Wanderers in the League Cup. His league debut did not arrive until the following season, in a 0-0 draw at West Bromwich Albion in Division One on 26th August 1995. Taricco quickly made an impression as a solid defender blessed with immaculate passing ability and considerable attacking flair, and he went on to make 47 appearances that season. Mauricio began 1996-97 with his first goal for Ipswich in a 5-2 win over Reading. His burgeoning talent earned him the supporters vote for player of the year, and he confirmed his popularity with a goal against rivals Norwich City on the evening that he collected the award. Ipswich's 2-0 victory that night went a long way towards securing their place in the play-offs. There they were edged out by Sheffield United and Taricco's disappointment was clear to see. Mauricio made another 53 appearances as Ipswich missed out in the play-offs again in 1997-98. An eventful season saw them enjoy a thrilling League Cup run, in which Taricco scored against both Manchester United - a superb long-range, curling effort - and Chelsea. Continued good form at the start of 1998-99, which included a spectacular goal following a run from inside his own half against Crystal Palace, caught the attention of Tottenham Hotspur, whose bid of £1.775m Ipswich found impossible to refuse. His final game for the club turned out to be a 2-0 win against Wolverhampton Wanderers on 3rd November 1998, when he was stretchered off in the last few minutes.

Tottenham Hotspur

He transferred to Tottenham Hotspur in 1998, becoming George Graham's first signing at the club. Taricco was a regular in the first team for much of the time he spent at the club. His debut came against Wimbledon which ended goalless, with his full debut against Middlesbrough also ending in a 0–0 draw. He went on to make 158 appearances for Spurs, scoring two goals.

West Ham United

He left Spurs in 2004 after falling out of favour at Spurs. West Ham United manager Alan Pardew signed him on a free transfer and stated he was very pleased Taricco was at the club. However, his West Ham career was short-lived as he tore his hamstring 27 minutes into his debut against Millwall Taricco then offered to have his contract with the club cancelled, which the club accepted, marking Taricco's retirement from professional football. At the time Alan Pardew commented that it was one of the most honest things he had ever known a footballer to do.

A.S. Villasimius

Tarrico then moved to Italy and played in the minor leagues, where he captained A.S. Villasimius.

Brighton & Hove Albion

Taricco made a return to professional football while Assistant Manager at Brighton and Hove Albion. After not playing for six years he started at left back for an FA Cup clash between Brighton and Woking. Taricco was sent off for a second bookable offence after 105 minutes. Brighton went on to win the game on penalties. Taricco once again retired from professional football on 3 October, 2011. He came back out of retirement when he played against Birmingham City on 29 October. Taricco was sent off again, this time receiving a straight red card, during the 3-0 away defeat to Championship League leaders Southampton on 19 November.

Coaching career

Brighton & Hove Albion

On 10 November 2009, it was announced that Taricco would be assistant manager to Gustavo Poyet at English team Brighton & Hove Albion.

External links

• Mauricio Taricco career stats at Soccerbase
• (Spanish) Argentine Primera statistics
• Official website