Manuel da Luz Afonso
Encyclopedia
Manuel da Luz Afonso was a Portuguese football manager.
He was the Head of the Football Departament of Benfica, during their 1960s Golden Era, until 1964 when he was called to work for the Portugal national football team
as seleccionador ("the selector"), with Otto Glória
as the coach. That meant that Afonso would be choosing the players but would not be the coach in charge of the squad.
They took over on 15 November 1964, with a 2–1 win over Spain
, in a friendly match. It was a promising start to the successful campaign Portugal had in the lead up to the 1966 World Cup finals, in England
. Portugal qualified for the first time, eliminating the world vice-champions Czechoslovakia
. Portugal went on to reach the third place at the World Cup finals.
Manuel da Luz Afonso left the National Team following the 1–2 loss to Sweden
, on 13 November 1966, in a European Championship
qualifier. He left the Portuguese squad after 20 matches, with 15 wins, 2 ties and 3 defeats, still the best record ever for his country.
He was the Head of the Football Departament of Benfica, during their 1960s Golden Era, until 1964 when he was called to work for the Portugal national football team
Portugal national football team
The Portugal national football team represents Portugal in association football and is controlled by the Portuguese Football Federation, the governing body for football in Portugal. Portugal's home ground is Estádio Nacional in Oeiras, and their head coach is Paulo Bento...
as seleccionador ("the selector"), with Otto Glória
Otto Glória
Otto Martins Glória was a Brazilian football coach. He had his greatest successes with SL Benfica in Lisbon, Portugal, which he guided to nine national trophies...
as the coach. That meant that Afonso would be choosing the players but would not be the coach in charge of the squad.
They took over on 15 November 1964, with a 2–1 win over Spain
Spain national football team
The Spain national football team represents Spain in international association football and is controlled by the Royal Spanish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Spain. The current head coach is Vicente del Bosque...
, in a friendly match. It was a promising start to the successful campaign Portugal had in the lead up to the 1966 World Cup finals, in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. Portugal qualified for the first time, eliminating the world vice-champions Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia national football team
The Czechoslovakia national football team was the national association football team of Czechoslovakia from 1922 to 1993. At the dissolution of Czechoslovakia at the end of 1992, the team was participating in UEFA qualifying Group 4 for the 1994 World Cup; it completed this campaign under the name...
. Portugal went on to reach the third place at the World Cup finals.
Manuel da Luz Afonso left the National Team following the 1–2 loss to Sweden
Sweden national football team
The Swedish national football team represents Sweden in association football and is controlled by the Swedish Football Association, the governing body for Football in Sweden. Sweden's home ground is Råsunda Stadium in Stockholms län and their head coach is Erik Hamrén. Sweden made their first...
, on 13 November 1966, in a European Championship
UEFA European Football Championship
The UEFA European Football Championship is the main football competition of the men's national football teams governed by UEFA . Held every four years since 1960, in the even-numbered year between World Cup tournaments, it was originally called the UEFA European Nations Cup, changing to the current...
qualifier. He left the Portuguese squad after 20 matches, with 15 wins, 2 ties and 3 defeats, still the best record ever for his country.