Raymond Goethals
Encyclopedia
Raymond Goethals (ˈrɛi̯.ˌmɔnt ˈʝu.ˌtɑls) (7 October 1921, Forest, Belgium
– 6 December 2004) was a Belgian
football coach who notably led Marseille
to victory in the UEFA Champions League
final in 1993, becoming the first coach to win a European trophy with a French club.
Sometimes nicknamed "Raymond-la-science" ("Raymond-the-Science", previously the nickname of Belgian anarchist
and Bonnot gang
member Raymond Callemin), "le sorcier" ("the Wizard") or "le magicien" ("the Magician"), Goethals was known for his blunt way of speaking, his habit of mispronouncing players' names and his distinctive Brussels
accent. A chain smoker
, he was likened to TV police detective Lieutenant Columbo. He was the father of the well-known UEFA
referee Guy Goethals
, who officiated the final of Euro 96.
, making his way through the youth ranks of the club before joining Racing Club Brussel in 1949. He remained at Racing Club Brussel until 1952. After a period spent playing for Royal Cercle Sportif de Schaerbeek, he moved into coaching with Hannut and Waremme, and led Sint-Truiden to second place in the Belgian First Division in 1966.
in Mexico
, although they were eliminated in the first round of the tournament. Belgium hosted the 1972 European Championship
, having knocked out holders Italy
in the qualifying stages, and defeated Hungary
in the match for third place after losing in the semi-final to eventual tournament winners Germany
. That marked Goethals' greatest success as national team coach. He also took great pride in the fact that Belgium had held the emergent Dutch national team
scoreless in both their meetings in 1974 World Cup qualifying
. Belgium completed their qualifying campaign without having conceded a single goal, but lost out to Holland on account of their inferior goal difference.
as coach. In his first season, Anderlecht reached the final of the European Cup Winners' Cup
, where they lost to SV Hamburg
, but won the trophy the following year with a comprehensive victory over FK Austria/WAC
. After spells coaching in France
at Bordeaux
and in Brazil
with São Paulo
, Goethals returned to Belgium to coach Standard Liège
. Standard Liège were Belgian champions in 1982 and 1983, and they reached the Cup Winners' Cup
final in 1982, losing to Barcelona
, who were at a considerable advantage in that the final was played at their home ground, Camp Nou
.
to take charge of Vitória Guimarães. He then returned to Belgium to coach Racing Jet de Bruxelles
before a second spell in charge of Anderlecht, where he won Belgian Cup
trophies in 1988 and 1989. Bordeaux
again recruited Goethals, and they finished runners-up in the French championship
in 1989–90 behind Marseille
. Approaching 70 years of age, Goethals' greatest triumph as a coach was yet to come.
and was entrusted with the task of leading the club to European Cup
success. In his first season, the club narrowly missed out on European glory, losing on penalties in the European Cup final to Red Star Belgrade
. There was recognition for Goethals' coaching abilities, as he was voted 1991 European Coach of the Year. In 1993, Marseille again reached the European Cup
final, where they defeated favourites A.C. Milan
with a headed goal by Basile Boli
. Having achieved his primary objective at Marseille, Goethals left the club.
Marseille were later stripped of their 1993 French championship when it emerged that three Valenciennes
players had been offered money to underperform in a crucial match against Marseille. The club were not allowed to defend their European title as a result, and were punished with relegation to the French second division
.
, a Flemish television programme based on the BBC
's 100 Greatest Britons
. The number 2 stand at F.C. Brussels
' home ground, Edmond Machtens Stadium
, was renamed in honour of Goethals in late 2005.
Belgian Championship 1994
Belgian Cup
1976; 1988;1989
UEFA Cup Winner´s Cup
1978
UEFA Supercup 1976; 1978
Belgian Championship 1982;1983
Belgian Cup
1981
Belgian Supercup
1981; 1983
French Championship 1991;1992;1993
UEFA Champions League
1993
Forest, Belgium
Forest or Vorst is one of the nineteen municipalities located in the Brussels-Capital Region of Belgium.The town is commonly known for its concert hall...
– 6 December 2004) was a Belgian
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
football coach who notably led Marseille
Olympique de Marseille
Olympique de Marseille is a French association football club based in Marseille. Founded in 1899, the club plays in Ligue 1 and have spent most of its history in the top tier of French football. Marseille have been French champions nine times and have won the Coupe de France a record ten times. In...
to victory in the UEFA Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
final in 1993, becoming the first coach to win a European trophy with a French club.
Sometimes nicknamed "Raymond-la-science" ("Raymond-the-Science", previously the nickname of Belgian anarchist
Anarchism
Anarchism is generally defined as the political philosophy which holds the state to be undesirable, unnecessary, and harmful, or alternatively as opposing authority in the conduct of human relations...
and Bonnot gang
Bonnot gang
The Bonnot Gang was a French criminal anarchist group that operated in France and Belgium during the Belle Époque, from 1911 to 1912...
member Raymond Callemin), "le sorcier" ("the Wizard") or "le magicien" ("the Magician"), Goethals was known for his blunt way of speaking, his habit of mispronouncing players' names and his distinctive Brussels
Brussels
Brussels , officially the Brussels Region or Brussels-Capital Region , is the capital of Belgium and the de facto capital of the European Union...
accent. A chain smoker
Chain smoking
Chain smoking is the practice of lighting a new cigarette for personal consumption immediately after one that is finished, sometimes using the finished cigarette to light the next one. It is a common form of addiction.-Causes:...
, he was likened to TV police detective Lieutenant Columbo. He was the father of the well-known UEFA
UEFA
The Union of European Football Associations , almost always referred to by its acronym UEFA is the administrative and controlling body for European association football, futsal and beach soccer....
referee Guy Goethals
Guy Goethals
Guy Goethals is a retired Belgian football referee. He is best known for having refereed two matches in the UEFA European Football Championship in 1992 and 1996. He is the son of Raymond Goethals.-References:*...
, who officiated the final of Euro 96.
Goethals' playing career and early coaching career
Goethals began his career as a goalkeeper in the 1930s with Daring BrusselR. Daring Club Molenbeek
Royal Daring Club Molenbeek was a football team from the city of Brussels, Belgium until 1973. It was created in 1895 as Daring Club de Bruxelles and was the second club to register to the Belgian Football Association , but it was admitted to the league only in 1903.-History:Until 1899, the team...
, making his way through the youth ranks of the club before joining Racing Club Brussel in 1949. He remained at Racing Club Brussel until 1952. After a period spent playing for Royal Cercle Sportif de Schaerbeek, he moved into coaching with Hannut and Waremme, and led Sint-Truiden to second place in the Belgian First Division in 1966.
Goethals as Belgian national coach
Goethals took charge of the Belgian national side in 1968. Belgium would succeed in qualifying for the 1970 World Cup1970 FIFA World Cup
The 1970 FIFA World Cup, the ninth staging of the World Cup, was held in Mexico, from 31 May to 21 June. The 1970 tournament was the first World Cup hosted in North America, and the first held outside South America and Europe. In a match-up of two-time World Cup champions, the final was won by...
in Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, although they were eliminated in the first round of the tournament. Belgium hosted the 1972 European Championship
1972 UEFA European Football Championship
-Semi-finals:-----Third place play-off:-Final:-Statistics:*Fastest goal: 24 minutes**Raoul Lambert **Gerd Müller -Top scorers:...
, having knocked out holders 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...
in the qualifying stages, and defeated Hungary
Hungary national football team
The Hungary national football team represents Hungary in international football and is controlled by the Hungarian Football Federation....
in the match for third place after losing in the semi-final to eventual tournament winners 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....
. That marked Goethals' greatest success as national team coach. He also took great pride in the fact that Belgium had held the emergent Dutch national team
Netherlands national football team
The Netherlands National Football Team represents the Netherlands in association football and is controlled by the Royal Dutch Football Association , the governing body for football in the Netherlands...
scoreless in both their meetings in 1974 World Cup qualifying
1974 FIFA World Cup qualification
A total of 99 teams entered the 1974 FIFA World Cup qualification rounds, competing for a total of 16 spots in the final tournament. , as the hosts, and , as the defending champions, qualified automatically, leaving 14 spots open for competition....
. Belgium completed their qualifying campaign without having conceded a single goal, but lost out to Holland on account of their inferior goal difference.
Return to club coaching
In 1976 Goethals' tenure as coach of the national side ended, and he joined AnderlechtR.S.C. Anderlecht
Royal Sporting Club Anderlecht, usually known as Anderlecht or RSCA , is a Belgian professional football club based in Anderlecht in the Brussels Capital Region. Anderlecht plays in the Belgian Pro League and is the most successful Belgian football team in European competitions as well as in the...
as coach. In his first season, Anderlecht reached the final of the European Cup Winners' Cup
UEFA Cup Winners' Cup
The UEFA Cup Winners' Cup was a football club competition contested annually by the most recent winners of all European domestic cup competitions. The cup is one of the many inter-European club competitions that have been organised by UEFA. The first competition was held in the 1960–61 season—but...
, where they lost to SV Hamburg
Hamburger SV
Hamburger Sport-Verein, usually referred to as HSV in Germany and Hamburg in international parlance, is a German multi-sport club based in Hamburg, its largest branch being its football department...
, but won the trophy the following year with a comprehensive victory over FK Austria/WAC
FK Austria Wien
Fußballklub Austria Wien is an Austrian association football club from the capital city of Vienna. They are considered the most successful club in Austria, having won the highest Austrian Bundesliga 23 times, the Austrian Cup 27 times and the Austrian Supercup 6 times. They also reached the UEFA...
. After spells coaching in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
at Bordeaux
FC Girondins de Bordeaux
Football Club des Girondins de Bordeaux is a French association football club based in the city of Bordeaux. The club currently play in Ligue 1, the first division of French football, and won its last Ligue 1 title in the 2008–09 season....
and in Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
with São Paulo
São Paulo Futebol Clube
São Paulo Futebol Clube , commonly known as São Paulo, is a professional football club based in São Paulo, Brazil. They play in the Campeonato Paulista, São Paulo's state league, and the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A or Brasileirão, Brazil's national league, and are one of the only five clubs to...
, Goethals returned to Belgium to coach Standard Liège
Standard Liège
Royal Standard de Liège, commonly referred to as Standard Liège Royal Standard de Liège, commonly referred to as Standard Liège Royal Standard de Liège, commonly referred to as Standard Liège (Dutch: Standard Luik [], German: Standard Lüttich , is a Belgian football club from the city of Liège....
. Standard Liège were Belgian champions in 1982 and 1983, and they reached the Cup Winners' Cup
UEFA Cup Winners' Cup
The UEFA Cup Winners' Cup was a football club competition contested annually by the most recent winners of all European domestic cup competitions. The cup is one of the many inter-European club competitions that have been organised by UEFA. The first competition was held in the 1960–61 season—but...
final in 1982, losing to Barcelona
FC Barcelona
Futbol Club Barcelona , also known as Barcelona and familiarly as Barça, is a professional football club, based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain....
, who were at a considerable advantage in that the final was played at their home ground, Camp Nou
Camp Nou
Camp Nou , sometimes called "the Nou Camp" in English, is a football stadium in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. The stadium, located in the west of the city, has been the home of FC Barcelona since its construction in 1957....
.
Controversy and Goethals' return to Anderlecht
Standard Liège's 1982 championship win was to become the subject of great controversy in 1984. Seemingly preoccupied with winning his first Belgian title, Goethals had suggested and initiated the bribing of the Waterschei players prior to the teams' meeting in the final match of the season, in order to secure championship honours for Standard Liège and ensure that none of his players would miss their European final against Barcelona through injury. Goethals was forced to resign in the wake of the scandal, and he moved to PortugalPortugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
to take charge of Vitória Guimarães. He then returned to Belgium to coach Racing Jet de Bruxelles
R. Jet Wavre
Racing Jet Wavre is a Belgian association football club located in the municipality of Wavre, Walloon Brabant. It was founded in Jette, Brussels in 1944 as Racing Club Jette, and registered with the Belgian Football Association the following year under the matriculation n°4549. It merged in 1970...
before a second spell in charge of Anderlecht, where he won Belgian Cup
Belgian Cup
The Belgian Cup is the main knockout football competition in Belgium, run by the Belgian Football Association. The first cup was held in 1911-12. The most successful cup club is Club Brugge KV with 10 titles followed by RSC Anderlecht and R Standard de Liège...
trophies in 1988 and 1989. Bordeaux
FC Girondins de Bordeaux
Football Club des Girondins de Bordeaux is a French association football club based in the city of Bordeaux. The club currently play in Ligue 1, the first division of French football, and won its last Ligue 1 title in the 2008–09 season....
again recruited Goethals, and they finished runners-up in the French championship
Ligue 1
Ligue 1 , is the French professional league for association football clubs. It is the country's primary football competition and serves as the top division of the French football league system. Ligue 1 is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel, the other being Ligue 2....
in 1989–90 behind Marseille
Olympique de Marseille
Olympique de Marseille is a French association football club based in Marseille. Founded in 1899, the club plays in Ligue 1 and have spent most of its history in the top tier of French football. Marseille have been French champions nine times and have won the Coupe de France a record ten times. In...
. Approaching 70 years of age, Goethals' greatest triumph as a coach was yet to come.
Goethals and Olympique Marseille
In 1990, Goethals was named coach of MarseilleOlympique de Marseille
Olympique de Marseille is a French association football club based in Marseille. Founded in 1899, the club plays in Ligue 1 and have spent most of its history in the top tier of French football. Marseille have been French champions nine times and have won the Coupe de France a record ten times. In...
and was entrusted with the task of leading the club to European Cup
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
success. In his first season, the club narrowly missed out on European glory, losing on penalties in the European Cup final to Red Star Belgrade
Red Star Belgrade
Red Star Belgrade is a football club from Belgrade, Serbia. The club is a part of the Red Star Sports Society.Red Star Belgrade is the most successful Serbian club, with a record of 25 national championships and 23 national cups in both Serbian and ex-Yugoslav competitions...
. There was recognition for Goethals' coaching abilities, as he was voted 1991 European Coach of the Year. In 1993, Marseille again reached the European Cup
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
final, where they defeated favourites A.C. Milan
A.C. Milan
Associazione Calcio Milan, commonly referred to as A.C. Milan or simply Milan , is a professional Italian football club based in Milan, Lombardy, that plays in the Serie A. Milan was founded in 1899 by English lace-maker Herbert Kilpin and businessman Alfred Edwards among others...
with a headed goal by Basile Boli
Basile Boli
Basile Boli is a French former footballer and current television sports presenter.-Career:Although born in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, Boli moved to France at an early age and began his career in local youth football in Paris before signing for AJ Auxerre in 1982...
. Having achieved his primary objective at Marseille, Goethals left the club.
Marseille were later stripped of their 1993 French championship when it emerged that three Valenciennes
Valenciennes FC
Valenciennes Football Club is a French association football club based in Valenciennes. The club was founded in 1913 and currently play in Ligue 1, the top level of French football. Valenciennes plays its home matches at the recently-built Stade du Hainaut located within the city...
players had been offered money to underperform in a crucial match against Marseille. The club were not allowed to defend their European title as a result, and were punished with relegation to the French second division
Ligue 2
Ligue 2 , formerly known as Division 2, is a French professional football league. The league serves as the second division of French football and is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel , the other being Ligue 1, the country's top football division...
.
Retirement
Goethals' coaching career ended at Anderlecht in season 1995–96, but he remained in demand as a television analyst for his insights into football. He died of bowel cancer aged 83. In 2005, the year following his death, he was voted 38th in De Grootste BelgDe Grootste Belg
De Grootste Belg was a 2005 vote conducted by Belgian public TV broadcaster Canvas, public radio broadcaster Radio 1, and newspaper De Standaard, to determine who is the Greatest Belgian of all time...
, a Flemish television programme based on the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
's 100 Greatest Britons
100 Greatest Britons
100 Greatest Britons was broadcast in 2002 by the BBC. The programme was the result of a vote conducted to determine whom the United Kingdom public considers the greatest British people in history. The series, Great Britons, included individual programmes on the top ten, with viewers having further...
. The number 2 stand at F.C. Brussels
F. C. Molenbeek Brussels Strombeek
F.C. Molenbeek Brussels Strombeek, often simply referred to as FC Brussels, is a Belgian association football club based in the municipality of Molenbeek-Saint-Jean in Brussels. They have been playing in the second division since 2008–09. The club was formed in 2003 by the merger of RWD Molenbeek...
' home ground, Edmond Machtens Stadium
Edmond Machtens Stadium
The Edmond Machtens Stadium is a football stadium located in the municipality of Molenbeek-Saint-Jean in Brussels, Belgium. The stadium has a capacity of 11,000 places. It is the home of Belgian Second Division club FC Molenbeek Brussels Strombeek since the 2003 merger between R White Daring...
, was renamed in honour of Goethals in late 2005.
Honours
- AnderlechtAnderlechtAnderlecht is one of the nineteen municipalities located in the Brussels-Capital Region.There are several historically and architecturally distinct districts within the Anderlecht municipality.-Pronunciation:* Dutch: * French:...
Belgian Championship 1994
Belgian Cup
Belgian Cup
The Belgian Cup is the main knockout football competition in Belgium, run by the Belgian Football Association. The first cup was held in 1911-12. The most successful cup club is Club Brugge KV with 10 titles followed by RSC Anderlecht and R Standard de Liège...
1976; 1988;1989
UEFA Cup Winner´s Cup
UEFA Cup Winners' Cup
The UEFA Cup Winners' Cup was a football club competition contested annually by the most recent winners of all European domestic cup competitions. The cup is one of the many inter-European club competitions that have been organised by UEFA. The first competition was held in the 1960–61 season—but...
1978
UEFA Supercup 1976; 1978
- Standard LiègeStandard LiègeRoyal Standard de Liège, commonly referred to as Standard Liège Royal Standard de Liège, commonly referred to as Standard Liège Royal Standard de Liège, commonly referred to as Standard Liège (Dutch: Standard Luik [], German: Standard Lüttich , is a Belgian football club from the city of Liège....
Belgian Championship 1982;1983
Belgian Cup
Belgian Cup
The Belgian Cup is the main knockout football competition in Belgium, run by the Belgian Football Association. The first cup was held in 1911-12. The most successful cup club is Club Brugge KV with 10 titles followed by RSC Anderlecht and R Standard de Liège...
1981
Belgian Supercup
Belgian Supercup
The Belgian Supercup is a Belgian club competition played on a single match at the league champion venue since 2004 and formerly at the Stade Roi Baudouin, between the winner of the last Belgian Pro League and that of the last Belgian Cup. If both teams are the same, the opponent is declared to...
1981; 1983
- Olympique Marseille
French Championship 1991;1992;1993
UEFA Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
1993