Cesar Luis Menotti: Argentina’s 1978 WC winning coach who gave Diego Maradona his debut leaves a huge legacy

New Delhi: Cesar Luis Menotti, who has passed away aged 85, is most famous for guiding Argentina to their first FIFA World Cup triumph in 1978. But not everyone recollects readily that he was the one who called up a lithe Diego Maradona to the national team in 1977.

Then only 17, Maradona made his full international debut against Hungary but was subsequently left out the World Cup squad. Menotti had since rued that it hampered his relationship with Maradona for years even though he took him to the 1979 U-20 World Cup where he played a stellar role in Argentina’s triumph.

The chain-smoking ‘Flaco’ or ‘the thin one’, as he was fondly called, also had another regret, always insisting that his 1978 team didn’t get enough plaudits for their victory as his country, the hosts of the tournament, were under the rule of a military junta that is believed to have created widespread human rights violations.

Yet, Menotti leaves the scene after a 37-year career, widely recognised as the most influential coaches in Argentine football, under whom the country defeated the Netherlands 3-1 after extra-time in the final, buoyed by Mario Kempes’ brace.

From Pele to Maradona

After a playing career that included a spell at Argentina powerhouse Boca Juniors and Brazil heavyweight Santos alongside, Pele, whom he always rated as the best of the best, Menotti was in charge of the national team from 1974 to 1983.

With deep pain, we say goodbye to César Luis Menotti, current Director of National Teams and World Champion as coach of Argentina in 1978.

Thanks for your legacy, Flaco. pic.twitter.com/sFinqzM1F0

— Selección Argentina in English (@AFASeleccionEN) May 5, 2024

A member of Argentina’s Communist Party and an avid follower of Latin American literature, Menotti managed two national teams in Argentina and Mexico (991-92) and 11 clubs, including Spanish giants FC Barcelona ((1983-1984), where he again tutored Maradona, apart from spells at Atletico Madrid (1987-88); Uruguay’s Penarol (1990-91); Italy’s Sampdoria (1997) and Mexico’s Tecos (2007), which was his last job before retirement.

Famous for keeping a long hair and dangling a cigarette between his lips, the cause of his death wasn’t immediately made public though reports said he was rushed to a hospital in March with anemia.

He had returned home after being operate on phlebitis in April, having quit smoking in 2011 after being admitted to a hospital for three days due to his tobacco addiction.