"A gentleman, a great footballer and an excellent coach. For several decades he was a protagonist of Sardinian amateur football: Mario Mirtillo, was an example for the youth of an entire generation. Former player of the legendary Pacini and Nuorese between the Sixties and Seventies and later coach of various island teams".
This is how Giorgio Orrù , former manager of Cagliari and sole director of La Palma during the golden years, a Cagliari team that even reached Serie C2, remembers him.
"In addition to being a great player, Mirtillo was an exceptional person who was able to convey the values of sport and life to many young people. He was also involved in social work. When he played in the first team of Pacini - Orrù recalls - I was in the Allievi. At fourteen I had an operation on my meniscus. During that period he accompanied me to school every day. Many friends wanted to say their last goodbye to him during the funeral held in the Church of San Lucifero in Cagliari, demonstrating the mark he left through his values".
Many messages of condolence also on social media, like that of Tharros. Mirtillo had coached the Oristano team in Serie D in the 1983/1984 season. He was also coach of Gialeto and Sinnai.
