Claudio Mortari dies at 77, ex-São Paulo coach made history | OneFootball

São Paulo announced this Thursday (25) from Natal with deep sorrow the passing of Claudio Mortari, former coach of Tricolor Basketball, at the age of 77.

As a coach, Mortari joined São Paulo at the end of 2018 and remained until October 2021, winning the unprecedented Paulista Championship. He had a remarkable stint at Morumbi, also finishing as runner-up in the NBB 20-21.

“São Paulo stands in solidarity with the family, friends, and admirers of the sportsman,” the club posted on its social media.

Mortari had been facing health problems in recent months. His death was also announced by his own family on the coach’s official Instagram.

“We thank everyone for the messages, prayer groups, and affection from all of you during this period. Claudinho and Bruno Mortari.

At this time, the family chooses to keep the farewell private, restricted to family members only. Thank you,” the family shared, mentioning São Paulo in their thanks on social media.

His son Bruno Mortari, in fact, was the one who coached São Paulo’s last basketball team this year, before the sport’s activities were ended at the close of the season.

The Brazilian Basketball Confederation also issued an official statement, recalling some of Claudio Mortari’s greatest achievements. Check it out:

“Brazilian basketball is in mourning. This Thursday, December 25, we lost our dear Cláudio Mortari, one of the greatest coaches in the history of the sport. At 77 years old, Mortari has left us.

Born in São Paulo, Mortari coached Palmeiras, Sírio, Bradesco, Corinthians, Pirelli, Telesp, Rio Claro, Mogi, Mackenzie, Flamengo, Campos, Ulbra, Pinheiros, São Paulo and, of course, the Brazilian National Team.

With Sírio, in 1979, he was world club champion in São Paulo, in a historic final, the first major international achievement for a Brazilian club.

In 1980, he led the Brazilian National Team at the 1980 Moscow Olympics.

He was five-time Brazilian champion, eight-time Paulista champion, Carioca champion, three-time South American Club Champions winner, champion of the Americas League and the Copa Brasil Sul.

Our embrace to the family, friends, and fans. The man is gone, but his story and legacy remain. Rest in peace.”

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.