The first player-coach to win the World Cup Former Brazil national team coach Jagalou passes away
Former Brazilian national soccer team coach Mario Zagalo (pictured), who became the first player and coach to win the World Cup, passed away on the 5th (local time). He died at the age of 93.
Brazilian media, including ‘U Globu’, reported on this day that former coach Zagalo passed away from multiple organ failure at a hospital in Rio de Janeiro. The Brazilian Football Association said, “Our soccer idol has left. “We express our condolences to the bereaved family and fans,” he said, designating a week as a mourning period. FIFA, the International Federation of Football Associations (FIFA), also released a commemorative statement.
Former coach Zagallo, who was nicknamed ‘Old Wolf’ by fans during his playing days, won the 1958 World Cup in Sweden and the 1962 World Cup in Chile as a member of the Brazilian national team. Then, in 1970, he reached the World Cup in Mexico as coach of the Brazilian national team. And at the 1994 US World Cup, he tasted victory as head coach. Former coach Zagalu is the only soccer player to win the World Cup more than four times throughout his career as a player and coach.
Former coach Zagalu returned as head coach of Brazil ahead of the 1998 World Cup and attempted to win the World Cup for the fifth time, but lost 0-3 to his home team France in the final. Afterwards, on November 20, 2002, during an evaluation match against Korea, he took over as interim coach of Brazil and led the team to a 3-2 victory, achieving his 100th win as a national team manager. 19가이드03