Enzo Bearzot
Encyclopedia
Vincenzo "Enzo" Bearzot (ˈɛntso bearˈzot; 26 September 1927 – 21 December 2010) was an Italian association football
player and manager. He is best known for having led the Italian national football team
to a triumph in the 1982 FIFA World Cup
.
, in the friuli
an Province of Udine
in Friuli-Venezia Giulia
, Bearzot had a moderately successful playing career as a centre back
. He made his debut in professional football with Pro Gorizia in 1946, a team he left in 1948 to join Serie A giants Internazionale
. After three seasons with the Nerazzurri, Bearzot moved to Sicily and joined Catania
for three more seasons. This was then followed by a long period at Torino
, where he played from 1954 to 1964, except for a short stint back at Internazionale in 1956–57. He retired in 1964, aged 37.
In his playing career, Bearzot totalled 251 appearances in Italy's Serie A
, being called up once to play for Italy
, making his debut on 27 November 1955 in a 0–2 1955–56 Central European International Cup match defeat to Hungary
.
and Giovan Battista Fabbri. He successively moved in Tuscany to take his first head coaching job in Tuscany at the helm of Serie C side Prato
.
However, Bearzot did not go on a club career, and chose instead to start working for the Italian Football Federation: first as under-23 head coach, then as assistant coach of Ferruccio Valcareggi in the 1974 FIFA World Cup
. After the German World Cup, Bearzot was appointed as assistant coach of Fulvio Bernardini
, and was then promoted head coach of Italy in 1977. It was Bearzot who drove the national team to fourth place in the 1978 FIFA World Cup
, obtained thanks to one of the most exciting playing styles in the competition. This performance was repeated in the 1980 European Championship
, hosted by Italy.
In the 1982 FIFA World Cup
, after poor performances in the three first matches, Bearzot announced the so-called silenzio stampa (press silence) in order to avoid the raising critics from the Italian press. Following that, the Italian team finally started to play its best football, defeating Argentina
and Brazil
in the second round, Poland
in the semi-final and Germany
in the Final
, leading his team to the first World Cup since 1938.
Italy did not qualify for the Euro 1984
. Bearzot resigned after the 1986 FIFA World Cup
, which saw Italy being defeated in the round of 16 by France
. Bearzot was criticised during the latter tournament for relying to heavily on players from the 1982 team, as some of them were past their best form by 1986.
After a long period of inactivity, Bearzot was appointed President of the FIGC Technical Sector (Settore Tecnico, the main football coaching organization of Italy) in 2002. He left this office in 2005.
Bearzot died on 21 December 2010 in Milan, aged 83.
:
Football in Italy
Football is the most popular sport in Italy. The Italian national football team has won the FIFA World Cup 4 times , trailing only Brazil . Italy's club sides have won 27 major European trophies, making them the most successful European nation in the subject of football...
player and manager. He is best known for having led the Italian national football team
Italy national football team
The Italy National Football Team , represents Italy in association football and is controlled by the Italian Football Federation , the governing body for football in Italy. Italy is the second most successful national team in the history of the World Cup having won four titles , just one fewer than...
to a triumph in the 1982 FIFA World Cup
1982 FIFA World Cup
The 1982 FIFA World Cup, the 12th FIFA World Cup, was held in Spain from 13 June to 11 July. The tournament was won by Italy, after defeating West Germany 3–1 in the final.-Host selection:...
.
Playing career
Born in Aiello del FriuliAiello del Friuli
Aiello del Friuli is a comune in the Province of Udine in the Italian region Friuli-Venezia Giulia, located about 45 km northwest of Trieste and about 25 km southeast of Udine...
, in the friuli
Friuli
Friuli is an area of northeastern Italy with its own particular cultural and historical identity. It comprises the major part of the autonomous region Friuli-Venezia Giulia, i.e. the province of Udine, Pordenone, Gorizia, excluding Trieste...
an Province of Udine
Province of Udine
The Province of Udine is a province in the autonomous Friuli-Venezia Giulia region of Italy, bordering Austria and Slovenia. Its capital is the city of Udine....
in Friuli-Venezia Giulia
Friuli-Venezia Giulia
Friuli–Venezia Giulia is one of the twenty regions of Italy, and one of five autonomous regions with special statute. The capital is Trieste. It has an area of 7,858 km² and about 1.2 million inhabitants. A natural opening to the sea for many Central European countries, the region is...
, Bearzot had a moderately successful playing career as a centre back
Defender (football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
. He made his debut in professional football with Pro Gorizia in 1946, a team he left in 1948 to join Serie A giants Internazionale
F.C. Internazionale Milano
Football Club Internazionale Milano, often referred to as Internazionale or simply Inter, is a professional Italian football club based in Milan, Italy. Outside Italy, the club is often called Inter Milan. They are the reigning FIFA Club World champions and Coppa Italia holders.Inter have always...
. After three seasons with the Nerazzurri, Bearzot moved to Sicily and joined Catania
Calcio Catania
Calcio Catania is an Italian football club founded in 1908 and based in Catania, Sicily. The club has spent much of its history in Serie B, gaining promotion to Italy's top league Serie A five times...
for three more seasons. This was then followed by a long period at Torino
Torino F.C.
Torino Football Club, commonly referred to as simply Torino, is a professional Italian football club based in Turin, Piedmont, that was founded in 1906. The club has spent most of its history in the top tier in Italian football....
, where he played from 1954 to 1964, except for a short stint back at Internazionale in 1956–57. He retired in 1964, aged 37.
In his playing career, Bearzot totalled 251 appearances in Italy's Serie A
Serie A
Serie A , now called Serie A TIM due to sponsorship by Telecom Italia, is a professional league competition for football clubs located at the top of the Italian football league system and has been operating for over eighty years since 1929. It had been organized by Lega Calcio until 2010, but a new...
, being called up once to play for Italy
Italy national football team
The Italy National Football Team , represents Italy in association football and is controlled by the Italian Football Federation , the governing body for football in Italy. Italy is the second most successful national team in the history of the World Cup having won four titles , just one fewer than...
, making his debut on 27 November 1955 in a 0–2 1955–56 Central European International Cup match defeat to Hungary
Hungary national football team
The Hungary national football team represents Hungary in international football and is controlled by the Hungarian Football Federation....
.
Managerial career
After having ended his playing career, Bearzot became assistant coach of Torino, working alongside Italian managers Nereo RoccoNereo Rocco
Nereo Rocco was an Italian football player and manager. He is famous for having been one of the most successful head coaches in Italy, and the first proponent of catenaccio in the country.-Playing career:...
and Giovan Battista Fabbri. He successively moved in Tuscany to take his first head coaching job in Tuscany at the helm of Serie C side Prato
A.C. Prato
Associazione Calcio Prato is an Italian association football club, based in Prato, Tuscany.Prato currently plays in Lega Pro Prima Divisione group B, having last been in Serie B in 1964.The team's colors are blue and white.- History :...
.
However, Bearzot did not go on a club career, and chose instead to start working for the Italian Football Federation: first as under-23 head coach, then as assistant coach of Ferruccio Valcareggi in the 1974 FIFA World Cup
1974 FIFA World Cup
The 1974 FIFA World Cup, the tenth staging of the World Cup, was held in West Germany from 13 June to 7 July. The tournament marked the first time that the current trophy, the FIFA World Cup Trophy, created by the Italian sculptor Silvio Gazzaniga, was awarded...
. After the German World Cup, Bearzot was appointed as assistant coach of Fulvio Bernardini
Fulvio Bernardini
Fulvio Bernardini was an Italian footballer and coach.During his playing career, he played for Lazio, Inter, Roma and M.A.T.E.R....
, and was then promoted head coach of Italy in 1977. It was Bearzot who drove the national team to fourth place in the 1978 FIFA World Cup
1978 FIFA World Cup
The 1978 FIFA World Cup, the 11th staging of the FIFA World Cup, was held in Argentina between 1 June and 25 June. The 1978 World Cup was won by Argentina who beat the Netherlands 3–1 after extra time in the final. This win was the first World Cup title for Argentina, who became the fifth...
, obtained thanks to one of the most exciting playing styles in the competition. This performance was repeated in the 1980 European Championship
1980 UEFA European Football Championship
The 1980 UEFA European Football Championship final tournament was held in Italy. This was the sixth European Football Championship, which is held every four years and endorsed by UEFA. With eight teams competing, the final tournament took place between 11 and 22 June 1980...
, hosted by Italy.
In the 1982 FIFA World Cup
1982 FIFA World Cup
The 1982 FIFA World Cup, the 12th FIFA World Cup, was held in Spain from 13 June to 11 July. The tournament was won by Italy, after defeating West Germany 3–1 in the final.-Host selection:...
, after poor performances in the three first matches, Bearzot announced the so-called silenzio stampa (press silence) in order to avoid the raising critics from the Italian press. Following that, the Italian team finally started to play its best football, defeating Argentina
Argentina national football team
The Argentina national football team represents Argentina in association football and is controlled by the Argentine Football Association , the governing body for football in Argentina. Argentina's home stadium is Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti and their head coach is Alejandro...
and Brazil
Brazil national football team
The Brazil national football team represents Brazil in international men's football and is controlled by the Brazilian Football Confederation , the governing body for football in Brazil. They are a member of the International Federation of Association Football since 1923 and also a member of the...
in the second round, Poland
Poland national football team
The Poland national football team represents Poland in association football and is controlled by the Polish Football Association, the governing body for football in Poland...
in the semi-final and Germany
Germany national football team
The Germany national football team is the football team that has represented Germany in international competition since 1908. It is governed by the German Football Association , which was founded in 1900....
in the Final
1982 FIFA World Cup Final
- External links :**...
, leading his team to the first World Cup since 1938.
Italy did not qualify for the Euro 1984
1984 UEFA European Football Championship
The 1984 UEFA European Football Championship final tournament was held in France. West Germany also bid for the hosting of this event. It was the seventh European Football Championship, held every four years and endorsed by UEFA...
. Bearzot resigned after the 1986 FIFA World Cup
1986 FIFA World Cup
The 1986 FIFA World Cup, the 13th FIFA World Cup, was held in Mexico from 31 May to 29 June. The tournament was the second to feature a 24-team format. Colombia had been originally chosen to host the competition by FIFA but, largely due to economic reasons, was not able to do so and officially...
, which saw Italy being defeated in the round of 16 by France
France national football team
The France national football team represents the nation of France in international football. It is fielded by the French Football Federation , the governing body of football in France, and competes as a member of UEFA, which encompasses the countries of Europe...
. Bearzot was criticised during the latter tournament for relying to heavily on players from the 1982 team, as some of them were past their best form by 1986.
After a long period of inactivity, Bearzot was appointed President of the FIGC Technical Sector (Settore Tecnico, the main football coaching organization of Italy) in 2002. He left this office in 2005.
Bearzot died on 21 December 2010 in Milan, aged 83.
Honours
ItalyItaly national football team
The Italy National Football Team , represents Italy in association football and is controlled by the Italian Football Federation , the governing body for football in Italy. Italy is the second most successful national team in the history of the World Cup having won four titles , just one fewer than...
:
- FIFA World CupFIFA World CupThe FIFA World Cup, often simply the World Cup, is an international association football competition contested by the senior men's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association , the sport's global governing body...
(1): 19821982 FIFA World CupThe 1982 FIFA World Cup, the 12th FIFA World Cup, was held in Spain from 13 June to 11 July. The tournament was won by Italy, after defeating West Germany 3–1 in the final.-Host selection:...