Cesar Luis Menotti, who famously coached Argentina to their first FIFA World Cup triumph in 1978, an achievement described as one of the “country’s greatest joys,” has died at the age of 85, the Argentine Football Association announced on Sunday.
The chain-smoking Menotti managed 11 clubs, some more than once, and two national teams — Argentina and Mexico — in a coaching career that lasted 37 years, but he is be best remembered for leading Argentina to the 1978 World Cup played on home soil at a time when the country was ruled by a repressive junta.
In the final, Argentina defeated the Netherlands 3-1 after extra-time with flamboyant man-of-the-tournament Mario Kempes scoring twice.
Photo: AP
Menotti opted not to pick 17-year-old phenomenon Diego Maradona, who had made his international debut the year before.
Reacting to Menotti’s death, Argentine President Javier Milei wrote on X of his “deep pain at the departure of the leader of a team that has given one of the greatest joys to the country.”
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