Béla Guttmann, the man who opened Europe to Benfica | OneFootball

As reported by Glorioso 1904, on 27 January Benfica remember Béla Guttmann, the Hungarian coach behind their only continental triumphs, as they prepare to face Real Madrid.

The early 1960s marked a turning point, with Guttmann guiding Benfica to a first European Cup and launching a cycle that lifted the club across the continent. Consecutive victories in 1961 and 1962 shaped a generation and fixed a new European status.

He arrived at the Luz with a clear view of the game and methods suited to a more competitive era. His balanced side and faith in young players enabled Benfica to go toe to toe with Europe’s leading clubs.

After beating Barcelona in 1961, Benfica returned to the final the following year to meet Real Madrid in Amsterdam. The 1962 showpiece is one of the club’s defining European nights, a 5-3 win over the holders that underlined their readiness for the summit.

The partnership ended soon after. Guttmann sought a pay rise, but the board would not go beyond 500 contos, a personal appeal failed, and the club moved for Fernando Riera. Hurt, Guttmann said no Portuguese team would be back-to-back European champions and that Benfica would never win the European Cup without him.

Since his exit, Benfica have reached eight European finals and lost all of them. Tomorrow’s reunion with Real Madrid, at the close of the UEFA Champions League league phase, rekindles a decisive chapter, when Guttmann’s Benfica stepped boldly onto Europe’s map.

Source: Glorioso 1904