Published 05/05/2024 16:34
River – César Luis Menotti died this Sunday (5), aged 85. The former coach was world champion with Argentina in 1978, the country’s first World Cup, and currently held the position of director of national teams at the Argentine Football Association (AFA). The news was released on the entity’s official profiles on social media.
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The cause of death was not revealed. However, César Luis Menotti has been hospitalized since the end of March due to a serious case of anemia. According to the Argentine press, he was discharged on April 11. In addition to the 1978 world title, Menotti was also notable for being the first coach to call up Maradona for the Argentine national team.
Menotti began his coaching career in 1973, at Huracán, where he was Argentine champion. He took charge of Argentina the following year, where he won the 1978 World Cup title and fell in the second phase of the 1982 World Cup. The coach was notable for creating a school with his game model, which consisted of possession and intense movement of the ball.
The coach also managed River Plate, Boca Juniors, Independiente and Rosario Central. He had spells at European clubs, such as Barcelona and Atletico de Madrid, in Spain, and Sampdoria, in Italy. Menotti was champion of the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Championship in 1983 with Barça. In addition to the Argentine national team, he also led Mexico between 1991 and 1992, as well as Mexican clubs.
As a player, Menotti was a striker and enjoyed the best phase of his career at Boca Juniors, where he was Argentine champion in 1965. He began his career at Rosario Central and also played for Racing. Menotti came to defend Santos in 1968, where he was champion of São Paulo and Brazil, playing alongside Pelé. He ended his career at Juventus-SP.
