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Enzo Bearzot

Enzo Bearzot

Name: Enzo Bearzot
Date of birth: 26 September 1927

Enzo Bearzot, who remains Italy's most beloved coach, led the Azzurri to a third FIFA World Cup title in 1982 playing an attacking brand of football with the accent on technique and individual expression.

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He Was My Coach

"He picked me for the first time for the U-23 team. When I lost my first match as Italy coach, I quickly reassured myself by remembering he also lost his first. Then I recalled his theory that it's important to lose friendly matches. He told me defeat is one of the secrets of building a squad and understanding its limits. After that, obviously it's vital to win to lift confidence again, especially when you are putting a side together." Marcello Lippi

Did You Know?

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  • “Who can be the new Paolo Rossi?” Bearzot was once asked and he replied: “I think Luca Toni is great. You need two players to mark him.”
  • Bearzot was assisted at the 1982 finals by Cesare Maldini; the man who went on to manage Italy at the 1998 FIFA World Cup tournament.
  • After his retirement, Bearzot passed on his thoughts on the game in a column entitled La Voce del Vecio in ‘La Voce’ newspaper until 1995.
  • Italy suffered a blip when they followed the 1982 FIFA World Cup™ triumph by failing to qualify for the 1984 UEFA European Championship.
  • Fans affectionately know Enzo Bearzot as il Vecio (‘the old-timer’). Bearzot was awarded the prestigious Italian Order of Merit in 1982.

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