The Story of Béla Guttmann: The Wandering Innovator of Football
Béla Guttmann, born on March 27, 1899, in Budapest, Hungary, was one of football’s most enigmatic and transformative figures. Renowned as a visionary manager, his life was marked by triumph, tragedy, and an enduring curse that has become part of football lore.
Early Life and Playing Career
Guttmann was born into a Jewish family in the Austro-Hungarian Empire. He began his football career as a talented midfielder, playing for MTK Budapest. During his time with the club, he helped secure back-to-back Hungarian championships in 1919 and 1920. Guttmann’s technical skills and tactical intelligence made him a standout player.
In the 1920s, he moved abroad to play in Austria, representing clubs like Hakoah Vienna, a team formed by the Jewish community. With Hakoah Vienna, Guttmann won the Austrian league title in 1925 and was part of a historic tour to the United States, where the team played to packed crowds and introduced many Americans to football. Impressed by the opportunities abroad, Guttmann stayed in the U.S., playing and coaching for several teams, including the New York Giants and New York Hakoah.
Surviving the Holocaust
Guttmann’s life took a harrowing turn during World War II. As a Jew, he became a target of the Nazi regime. He managed to evade deportation to concentration camps by hiding in Budapest, but many of his family members were killed during the Holocaust. The war left an indelible mark on him, shaping his later outlook on life and football.
A Revolutionary Manager
After the war, Guttmann turned to coaching, where he would leave an indelible mark on the sport. He began in Hungary but soon became a journeyman manager, working in countries such as Austria, Italy, Brazil, and Portugal. Guttmann’s innovative ideas revolutionised football tactics. He emphasised attacking play, fitness, and the psychological preparation of his players. His charisma and strong personality often clashed with club owners and players, leading him to frequently change jobs.
Key Achievements:
1. AC Milan: Guttmann coached Milan in the 1950s but was famously sacked while the team was top of the league. He quipped, “I was sacked for being first!”—a reflection of his often turbulent relationships with club management.
2. São Paulo: In Brazil, Guttmann introduced European tactical methods, which influenced the development of the attacking football style that Brazil became famous for.
3. Benfica: His greatest success came with Portuguese club Benfica. Taking over in 1959, Guttmann transformed the team and led them to consecutive European Cup victories in 1961 and 1962. Under his leadership, Benfica defeated FC Barcelona and Real Madrid in the finals, cementing their place among Europe’s elite.
The Curse of Béla Guttmann
Despite his success at Benfica, Guttmann’s tenure ended acrimoniously in 1962. Feeling under-appreciated and underpaid, he left the club after being denied a bonus he believed he had earned. Before departing, he reportedly declared, “Not in a hundred years from now will Benfica win another European Cup without me.”
This statement became known as the “Curse of Béla Guttmann.” Since his departure, Benfica has reached numerous European finals but has failed to win every single one, fuelling the legend of the curse.
Legacy and Death
Béla Guttmann’s influence on football was profound. He was one of the first managers to view the game as a blend of art and science, emphasising the importance of tactics, psychology, and adaptability. His itinerant career, managing clubs in over a dozen countries, earned him a reputation as a true global innovator.
Guttmann passed away on August 28, 1981, in Vienna, Austria. Today, he is remembered as a pioneering figure whose contributions to football extended far beyond the pitch. Statues of Guttmann, often depicting him holding the European Cup, stand outside Benfica’s Estádio da Luz, a testament to his enduring legacy.
The Enigma of Béla Guttmann
Guttmann’s life story is a tale of resilience, brilliance, and mystery. From surviving the horrors of the Holocaust to achieving unprecedented success in football, he embodied the spirit of reinvention. The “Curse of Béla Guttmann” remains one of the sport’s most enduring legends, ensuring that his name will forever be etched in football history.
