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Giannini had a hugely influence on the Giallorossi during his time at the club, and has an almost unique claim for being responsible for two of the finest players, and captains, in Roma history.
Giannini was the father of Giuseppe Giannini, the attacking midfielder who went on to make 437 appearances for Roma in an almost 15-year spell for his boyhood side, which eventually also saw him assume the club captaincy.
Giannini Sr. then had a decisive role in ensuring a certain Francesco Totti joined the club's youth academy as a boy, despite overtures from the likes of Lazio and AC Milan.
The older Giannini had always paid special attention to the young Totti, later telling his son to, "keep an eye on this boy, he's got something special".
Totti, meanwhile, credited Gildo's interest with ensuring his progression through the academy setup.
"In the academy my growth was continuous and notable - because Gildo Giannini, the head of the youth sector, always kept a close eye on me," Totti recounted in his autobiography.
"For years he watched over me... 'If you didn't put the ball in the net, you didn't do anything,' was his motto. But he often said I reminded him of his son, which wasn't bad for me."
Totti went on to become the club's all-time leading goalscorer (307) and appearance-maker (786), winning the Serie A title in 2001.
Giannini Sr. fulfilled a number of roles at the club during his career, culminating in the position at the head of the academy setup.
The thoughts of everyone at Roma are with his family and friends at this sad time.
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