Carlo "Carletto" Mazzone (19 March 1937 – 19 August 2023) was an Italian professional association football player and manager, who played as a centre-back.

[1] Born in Rome, Mazzone was nicknamed Sor Carletto because of his Roman origins and the strong accent typical of the inhabitants of the Italian capital city.

From 1991 to 1993, he subsequently coached Catanzaro, Bologna, Lecce, Pescara, and Cagliari, leading the latter team to its first appearance in a European competition since the times of Gigi Riva.

[3] After his successes at Cagliari, Mazzone fulfilled his dream, being called to manage his hometown club Roma for the 1993–94 Serie A season, where he coached a young Francesco Totti.

In 2000, he took charge of Serie A newcomers Brescia in 2000, where he had the opportunity to coach Roberto Baggio, and subsequently also Andrea Pirlo, Luca Toni, Igli Tare, and Pep Guardiola.

[9] Pirlo particularly excelled in this new role due to his technique, vision, and long passing ability, and went on to have a highly successful career, earning a reputation as one of the best ever players in his position.