AC Milan legend and former Italy national team manager Cesare Maldini has died at the age of 84. 

The Rossoneri confirmed the news via their official Twitter account:

Goodbye dear Cesare. Today the world loses a great man and we lose a page of our history. You will be missed. https://t.co/2OFgVCQiaz

Maldini was one of the most successful players in Milan history, winning four Serie A titles with the club. His son Paolo went on to become a Rossoneri great as well.

He started his career with Triestina in 1952 before moving to the Italian fashion capital in 1954. The defender would go on to lead the Rossoneri to the Serie A title in his first season at the club and repeat the feat three more times, and he also helped them win the European Cup in the 1962-63 campaign.

After his playing days, he became a manager and guided Italy's under-21 squad to three consecutive European titles. Along the way, he played a big role in developing several young prospects that would go on to have glittering careers, including Fabio Cannavaro, Gianluigi Buffon and Francesco Totti.

He didn't find similar success on the club level, although Milan did win one European Cup Winners' Cup while he was in charge.

BT Sport's Matt Smith was one of many to express his condolences:

Football loses another of its standard bearers. RIP Cesare #Maldini

His son Paolo inherited the love for the club from his father and went on to have a marvellous career with Milan, winning seven Serie A titles and no less than five European Cups and UEFA Champions League titles. 

Paolo's two sons, Christian and Daniel Maldini, are currently members of Milan's youth academy, per Football Italia. 

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