Vittorio Pozzo
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Vittorio Pozzo (born March 2, 1886 in Turin, Piedmont, Italy – Ponderano (Biella) December 21, 1968) was an Italian football (soccer) coach who was most famous for leading the Italian national team to win the 1934 and 1938 FIFA World Cup, as well as the 1936 Olympic football gold medal. He was also famous for creating the Metodo tactical formation. He died in 1968 aged 82.
Vittorio Pozzo has the distinction of being the only coach to win the World Cup twice.
Affectionately known as Il Vecchio Maestro - 'The Old Master' - Pozzo took Italy to glory at home in 1934 and defended the title in France four years later.
Pozzo accrued limited experience as a player, including a spell in Switzerland with Grasshopper Zurich, and it was as a coach that he earned his reputation.
He was coach of Torino between 1912 and 1924, having learned much in England, and also took charge of the Italian Olympic side for the 1912 and 1924 Games.
In 1929, Pozzo became the Azzurri's first head coach to be free from the influence of the technical committee. Upon leaving his post as Pirelli manager, he only took on the national role on the condition he was not paid.
During his coaching career, he developed a tactic known as Metodo (2-3-5), later evolving into Sistema (2-3-2-3), which created a stronger defence.
His first World Cup was in 1934 and, with Italian dictator Benito Mussolini anxious to make an impact, Pozzo was helped by Giorgio Vaccaro - a general from the fascist militia.
Though Italy were favoured by some contentious refereeing decisions en route to the final, Pozzo was able to cajole his troops to an extra time victory over Czechoslovakia.
On the back of the World Cup success, Pozzo was awarded the title of Commendatore for greatness in his profession and his tactical acumen was respected throughout the sport.
Among his notable tactics was converting the legendary Giuseppe Meazza, who was captain in 1938, from a striker into an inside forward.
Pozzo added another international honour to his collection in 1936 when taking gold medal at the Olympic Games in Berlin before masterminding a second World Cup triumph in 1938.
With Giuseppe Meazza the leader of the side, Italy disposed of an over-confident Brazil in the semi-finals before beating Hungary 4-2 in the final.
The outbreak of World War II prevented Pozzo from having the chance to win a third World Cup crown, although he stayed as coach until 1948, finishing with a record 63 wins from 95 games.
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Preceded by Alberto Suppici |
FIFA World Cup winning managers 1934 & 1938 |
Succeeded by Juan López |
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Italy squad - 1934 FIFA World Cup Champions (1st Title) | |
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DF Allemandi | FW Arcari | MF Bertolini | FW Borel | DF Caligaris | MF Castellazzi | GK Cavanna | GK Combi | FW Demaría | FW Ferrari | MF Ferraris | FW Guaita | FW Guarisi | GK Masetti | FW Meazza | MF Monti | DF Monzeglio | FW Orsi | MF Pizziolo | DF Rosetta | FW Schiavio | MF Varglien | Coach Pozzo |
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Italy squad - 1938 FIFA World Cup Champions (2nd Title) | |
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MF Andreolo | FW Bertoni | FW Biavati | GK Ceresoli | MF Chizzo | FW Colaussi | MF Donati | FW Ferrari | FW Ferraris | DF Foni | MF Genta | MF Locatelli | GK Masetti | FW Meazza | DF Monzeglio | GK Olivieri | MF Olmi | FW Pasinati | MF Perazzolo | FW Piola | DF Rava | MF Serantoni | Coach Pozzo |
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