César Luis Menotti, a legendary football coach who led Argentina to victory in the 1978 World Cup, has passed away at the age of 85. The Argentine Football Association (AFA) made the announcement of his passing. Menotti, a former player for Rosario Central, Boca Juniors, and Santos, began his coaching career at Newell’s Old Boys before winning the Argentinian championship with Huracán in 1973.
After leaving the national team following the 1982 World Cup, Menotti went on to coach various clubs including Barcelona, where he guided the team to Copa del Rey success in 1983. He also had coaching spells with Atlético Madrid, Boca Juniors, Independiente, River Plate, Penarol, Rosario Central, Sampdoria and Mexican clubs Puebla and Tecos.
The AFA expressed their sadness at the passing of Menotti who was serving as the current director of the national teams at the time of his death. Menotti’s legacy as a talented player and successful coach will always be remembered in the world of football.