Cesar Luis Menotti, who led Argentina to victory at the 1978 World Cup, has died at the age of 85, the country's soccer federation announced on Sunday.
Born in Rosario, Argentina in 1938, Menotti won 11 caps for Argentina in the 1960s and went on to represent 11 clubs (including several) and two internationals during a 37-year coaching career. led the team.
He led Argentina to the 1978 World Cup and the U-20 title the following year, and is best remembered for his commitment to the romantic ideals of soccer at a time when Argentina was developing a reputation for a cynical approach to violence. Are known.
In the 1978 World Cup final, the hosts, Argentina, defeated the Dutch national team, which lost Johan Cruyff, who refused to participate in the tournament, after extra time, with two goals from the tournament's most outstanding player, Mario Kempes, to defeat the Netherlands by 3. I broke it with 1.
Although this victory was achieved in style, it was mired in controversy. Many felt that Argentina's repressive military regime made it an unsuitable host country.
Menotti also chose not to select Diego Maradona, a 17-year-old phenomenon who had made his international debut the previous year.
“I did what I thought I had to do. I was obsessed with Diego, to take care of him above all,” Menotti told El Graffico. “He was very young and very small.”
Argentina started their last match in the second group stage just after the final whistle of Brazil's victory over Poland, knowing they needed to beat Peru by at least three goals to reach the final.
Kempes and Leopoldo Luque each scored two goals in a 6-0 victory. Despite Argentina's strong performance, the victory has long been viewed with suspicion.
Menotti, affectionately known as 'The Thin One', made memorable appearances on the touchline, smoking a cigarette and peering expressionlessly from beneath his shaggy mane.
“I never go to the barber. I cut my own hair,” he said.
When Menotti was 16, his father died of cancer, and he also became a heavy smoker. It was “my lonely friend,” he said. He retired after undergoing lung surgery in 2011.
In 1979, with Maradona in the team, Menotti led Argentina to the Under-20 World Cup, defeating the Soviet Union 3-1 in the final.
His reign ended after the 1982 World Cup in Spain, which began just before Argentina surrendered in the Falklands War. Argentina lost 1-3 to Brazil in the second round, with Maradona sent off and eliminated.
Menotti won two cups in his two seasons at Barcelona, the last trophy of his coaching career that saw him play in Italy, Mexico and Uruguay before returning to Argentina.
He continued to have lifelong feuds with coaches of the more pragmatic Argentine tradition, believing that the style of football was political.
“Left-wing football is generous and dedicated only to the people. It is honest and does not put results above all else,” he told German magazine Kicker in 2006.
Striker Menotti started his playing career at Rosario Central, the club he supported.
He moved to Boca Juniors, where he won the Argentine title, then moved to the New York Generals, and from there to Santos in Brazil, where he played alongside Pele.
He became an assistant coach at Central City's rivals, Newell's Old Boys.
In 1973, he led Huracán to their only league championship since 1928. He became national team coach in 1974 and remained in the position even after the military took over in 1976, despite being a member of the Communist Party.
In 2018, he told Argentine sports magazine El Graphico that “it was better to fight from the inside than from the outside.”
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