Vittorio Pozzo

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Pozzo was born in Turin on 2 March 1886, into a family originally from Ponderano. He attended the Liceo Cavour in Turin, studied languages, and played football in France, Switzerland and England. He studied in Manchester at the turn of the 20th century and met Manchester United half-back Charlie Roberts and Derby County's inside-left Steve Bloomer. As a player, he played professionally for Grasshoppers in the 1905–06 season, then returned to Italy to help found Torino, playing five seasons until 1911. He served as technical director of Torino from 1912 to 1922. After completing his studies, he joined Pirelli, where he became manager, a position he would leave for the Italian national team. Pozzo served with the Alpini as lieutenant during the First World War. He also worked as a journalist for La Stampa in Turin, which he continued almost until his death.

In Their Own Story

In the 1938 World Cup semi-final against Brazil, Pozzo learned the Brazilians were so confident of reaching the final that they had requisitioned the only airplane from Marseille to Paris for the day after the match. Pozzo went to the Brazilians sunbathing on the Côte d'Azur and asked them to surrender the bookings in case of an Italian victory. The Brazilians arrogantly answered "it is not possible because we will go to Paris, because we will beat you in Marseille." They then reportedly offered Pozzo the ironic hospitality of a plane ride to Paris to see them play in the final. Pozzo reported this to his side to rouse their pride. Italy won 2–1. Afterwards, the Brazilians refused to sell their tickets, forcing the Italians to reach Paris by train. In the final, Italy won 4–2 against Hungary. There is a common legend that Mussolini sent a telegram saying "Win or die!" but Pietro Rava later denied this, commenting: "No, no, no, that's not true. He sent a telegram wishing us well, but no never 'win or die'."

Reader's Guide

Pozzo was appointed as the first head coach of the national team for the 1912 Summer Olympics. Italy was eliminated in the first round after a 3–2 loss to Finland in extra time on 29 June. He resigned after his third match, a 5–1 defeat by Austria on 3 July. He returned to the national team in 1921 as part of a "technical commission." In 1924, he was again appointed sole head coach for the 1924 Summer Olympics; Italy reached the quarter-finals, losing 2–1 to Switzerland. After this defeat, he resigned. He returned permanently in December 1929. Italy won the 1930 Central European International Cup, defeating Hungary 5–0 in Budapest. In the 1934 World Cup on home soil, Italy beat Czechoslovakia 2–1 in extra time in the final. Pozzo was awarded the title of Commendatore. Italy defended their Central European International Cup title in 1935, then won the gold medal at the 1936 Olympics, defeating Austria 2–1 in extra time. In the 1938 World Cup, Italy won their second world title 4–2 against Hungary. With that victory, Pozzo became the first ever manager to win two editions of the FIFA World Cup coaching one same team, a feat that has yet to be matched in men's international football.

Did You Know?

• Pozzo is the only manager to guide a national team to two FIFA World Cup titles as coach (1934 and 1938).
• He also led Italy to a gold medal at the 1936 Olympic football tournament, becoming the only manager to win both Olympic Games and World Cup.
• Pozzo studied in Manchester at the turn of the 20th century and met Manchester United half-back Charlie Roberts and Derby County's inside-left Steve Bloomer.
• After the 1938 World Cup semi-final, Brazilians refused to sell their plane tickets to Paris to the Italians, forcing the team to travel by train.
• Pietro Rava denied the legend that Mussolini sent a 'Win or die!' telegram before the 1938 final, saying instead he sent a telegram wishing them well.