Pascali played his first ever professional season in the year 2000. Age 19 a young Manu signed for Sant'Angelo this would be his first foot on the footballing ladder so to speak. Alessandria, Pizzighettone and Carpenedolo would follow over a seven year spell in Italy's lower reaches. Predominantly in Serie C the third highest league in Italian football. This is where a young Pascali would learn his trade playing in over 200 games for these clubs scoring 30 goals across a seven year period (2000-2007).
Serie A club Parma would come calling and purchase 26 year old promising midfielder Pascali in summer of 2007. Unfortunately for Manuel the club loaned him straight back out immediately. Heading to Foligno in the same league he had just come from. Pascali featured 32 times that season in the clubs push for promotion to Serie B. They would fall at ultimately the last hurdle in the play off.
The Summer of 2008 -2009
Jim Jeffries Kilmarnock side head to usual Tuscan Mountain training camp Il Ciocco. Manuel Pascali comes on trial and stars in midfield. He returns with the Ayrshire men on trial and features in pre season games at Rugby Park. Scoring the winner in 1-0 win over QPR. Kilmarnock make an enquiry to take him on loan for the season. Parma relegated from Serie A that season eventually agree to a sale an undisclosed fee of a rumoured 125 thousand pounds. Pascali is a Killie player. Signing a three year deal.
Pascali, an unknown quantity to Killie fans, features in his first start at Rugby Park against Hibs. The Italian midfield enforcer looking imperious in the centre of the park goes straight through Hibs right back David Van Zanten. Getting his first of about 800 yellow cards that season the Italian had set his stall out early. Van Zanten stretchered off two minutes gone. Pasca as he was nicknamed by the Ayrshire faithful quickly became a fans favourite. His no nonsense approach and his incredible passion made him a real cult hero.
Pasca would score his first Killie goal vs Hamilton in a 1-0 victory at Rugby Park in August 2008. Making 35 appearances that season a real stalwart in the Killie midfield.
10th January 2009
Killie head to Somerset to play rivals Ayr in 4th round of Scottish Cup. Pascali would score the opener in a very eventful tie which Killie should have won. Over the next few seasons Manu would continue to be a midfield menace getting booked 18 times in the 2010-11 season over 39 matches. Three one match bans due to persistently getting booked over the season.
Late September 2011 Killie would lose at Ibrox to Rangers just before their unforgettable demise. Two - nil the score. Pascali is involved in a bust up in the tunnel after handbags on park with Kirk Broadfoot. Killie's current centre back and enforcer. Kenny Shiels referred to Kirk Broadfoot as the "ugly boy from Rangers " up against "the male model from Ayrshire" in his post match radio interview. A fight I'd have paid to see! No love lost between the two bruisers with Kirk Broadfoot claiming "he was in my face saying he was going to kill me". Pascali dismisses these claims by saying Kirk is a "publicity seeking coward".
Two months later in November Kirk and the terminally ill Rangers roll into town. Pascali puts them to the sword, heading in a winner as Killie beat Rangers 1-0 at RP. Interviewed after the game Pascali says it was the "best moment of his career so far".
In 2012 Killie would draw Ayr at Hampden in the semi final of the league cup. Ayrshire would flood Glasgow's south side. Kilmarnock totally dominant lead by Pascali would get a winner in last five minutes of extra time through Dean Shiels. Bedlam as Killie end erupts and celebrate reaching a final the following month. Unfortunately in February 2012 it would be heartbreak for Manu as he would break his leg in training whilst over stretching for the ball. He would miss the final and the rest of the season.
March 18th 2012
Killie were at Hampden to face 26 games unbeaten Celtic in the league cup final. Manager Kenny Shiels set his side up and they played their heart out. Killie fans outnumbered three to one by Celtic supporters belted out songs enjoying their day. Captain fantastic Pascali was seen hobbling around on crutches before the game giving encouragement to the boys on the park before taking seat in dug out. Kilmarnock would inevitably beat treble chasing Celtic with a fantastic team move and great finish. Scenes !! The place exploded. Killie would see out the remaining minutes. Champions.
Pascali on the park with his crutches, the fans jubilant and full of anticipation. Despite being injured Pascali was club captain, but he insisted that club legends Garry Hay and James Fowler also lifted it, as he knew how much the victory meant to them. Showing the measure of the man with that act of togetherness and respect to fellow players. The cup lifted above the three Killie men's heads. Goosebumps even writing it just now. Killie would parade it in front of the ecstatic support. Pascali lifted by his team mates on top of shoulders crutches in the air. Brilliant scenes back at Rugby Park as Manu with a Killie scarf wrapped round his head leads the chant "let's all laugh at Celtic".
Pascali would sign a three year deal the week after. Shiels describing him as pivotal and such a big character. The next few seasons weren't quite the same. A lot of unrest after Shiels sacking, turning support against chairman Michael Johnston. Clubs fortunes turned for the worse and we had some pretty horrid times. Pascali would be offered a new short contract but at reduced terms and despite being desperate to stay to get his testimonial he reluctantly moved on.
Pascali would go on to say "Michael Johnston created so much negativity around the club" citing him as one of the reasons he left.
Returning to Cittadella in his home country in 2015 after 7 years in Scotland. He played two seasons achieving promotion in his first to Serie B. He made 37 appearances in his two season stint with Citta scoring 4 goals. Leaving in summer 2017. Now at his current team Cosenza Calcio in Italy's third tier he has gone full circle, back to where it all began as a youngster. Only 3 appearances in the league for 36 year old Pascali this year.
Personally for me a man that i hold in the highest regard. He never once shirked a tackle and gave his all for our club. He helped win us a cup and gave us many fond memories in which we are all grateful. His hard exterior on the pitch was in contrast to his funny and friendly manner off of it. I am sad he didn't achieve a testimonial here. He was certainly worthy of one. His passion knew no bounds for our club. Something rare in a foreign player. He became a Killie local and hero.
Grazie Pasca
Now let's hear from the man himself as I caught up with him this week about his time at Ayrshire's Finest. Enjoy his One to Eleven...
1) Can you tell us firstly how did your move to Kilmarnock come about?
I got in touch with the late Stefano Salvatori who used to play for Hearts under Jim Jeffries. He asked me if i fancied a trial with Killie whilst they were on a preseason trip to Italy. I said yes and then after two weeks I had signed.
2) Did you settle in well at Kilmarnock easily or was it hard to adapt to Scotland at first?
It was pretty easy from my point of view. I found everything i needed and club was very welcoming to me. Although it did take time to get used to the weather though.
3) In your time at the club which player or players would you say were the best you played with?
There were plenty of good players in my time. I would mention Craig Bryson and Alexei Eremenko though. Probably the best two!
4) In your time at Kilmarnock you managed to score fifteen goals. Do you have a favourite?
I would have to say the one against Ayr at Somerset in my first Ayrshire Derby. Scoring the only goal and winning 1-0 at Rugby park against Rangers was so wonderful also.
5) Having worked with Kenny Shiels for a couple of seasons how was he as a manager?
Kenny was a great manager. We had a fantastic time together. A very nice and honest man with a great attitude and love for his work and the club.
6) What was your favourite game to play in for Killie?
Killie against Ayr in the cup semi-final at Hampden. An incredible atmosphere that day and a cracking game for the community.
7) How disappointed were you to be unable to play in the 2012 league cup final?
I was gutted of course after playing every minute of the other cup games. I felt though like i played in that game. I was on the pitch with my team mates and I felt like i did my part. A wonderful day for us all.
8) Who was your toughest opponent whilst playing in Scotland?
Gary Hooper was a very tough player to play against. Him and Samaras were great together! Both were really strong and fast. On their day they were a real handful.
9) What was your funniest moment at Killie?
Probably all the Xmas nights out with the team!
10) What do you think of Kilmarnock this year under Steve Clarke?
We are flying. I recently watched the full match against Celtic at Rugby Park and I thought we looked like a proper team. Good players and really well organised. Every player looked like they knew exactly what to do in their position and worked with real togetherness. The plan worked perfectly. Steve Clarke has taken Killie into the top six after years and looks like he really means business. He has signed a great player in Mulumbu. Mulumbu and Jordan Jones are doing very well and even the back four impressed me in that game. A special mention also to Boydie. Looks like he has got Italian blood in him, nearly 35 and still going strong!
11) Finally and most importantly Pasca. Do you see yourself ever returning to Killie as a coach or manager in the future?
I would absolutely love to! KTID! Manu, Manuel...
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