ruotolo started his career with sorrento in 1984, but is best known for having been a key player for genoa for over a decade; he joined the "grifone" in 1988 to left it only in 2002 to join livorno of serie c1. during his spell at genoa he lifted the 1996 anglo-italian cup. he played for livorno until 2006, except for a four-months time at saudi arabian side al-ittihad (february–june 2003), being part of both rosters which gained promotion to serie b and then serie a, and playing two top division seasons with the "amaranto". he left livorno in 2006 to join newly promoted serie c2 club sorrento in a comeback to his first professional team. he left sorrento in december 2007 by mutual consent and then joined amateur promozione side massa lubrense for the remainder of the season.