The Argentine football federation announced this Sunday the death of the coach of the 1978 world champions, César Luis Menotti.
César Luis Menotti is no more. The conductor of the Albiceleste crowned world champion in 1978 – at home and to win the first of its three stars at the expense of the Netherlands (3-1 victory in the final, after extra time) – has passed away this Sunday at the age of 85.
“ It is with immense sadness that the Argentine Football Association learns of the death of César Luis Menotti, current director of the national teams and former coach of world champion Argentina », announced the AFA in the evening via its X account.
Nicknamed “El Flaco” like a certain Javier Pastore, César Luis Menotti inherited control of the Argentine selection in 1974, after the failure of the World Cup played in West Germany. His triumph in 1978 – without the crack Maradona, then barely an adult at the time – was followed by enormous disillusionment in 1982 in Spain.
It was at the head of FC Barcelona that the person concerned then bounced back, in 1983, with three trophies won all the same: the Copa del Rey, the League Cup and the Spanish Super Cup. The rest was more anecdotal despite numerous teams coached, including Boca Juniors (1986-1987 and 1993-1994), Atlético de Madrid (1987-1988), River Plate (1989), Sampdoria (1997) and even the Mexican selection (1991-1992).
