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Manuel GiudiceArgentine footballer and coach
Date of Birth: 15.07.1918
Country:  Argentina |
Content:
- Early Life and Playing Career
- Coaching Success
- Triumph with Independiente
- First Title for Velez Sarsfield
- Awards and Honors
Early Life and Playing Career
Manuel Giúdice began his football journey at a young age, representing the youth teams of Nacional Jose Maria Paz, General Paz Juniors, Tucuman, and San Lorenzo. In 1939, he made his professional debut for Huracan, where he spent six seasons and became a legend and a leader for the team. Known for his aggressive playstyle and exceptional attacking skills, Giúdice featured as a central midfielder and even earned a cap for the Argentine national team in 1943. From 1945 to 1946, he played for River Plate, the dominant force in Argentine football at the time. After three years with Platense, Giúdice joined Deportivo Cali in Colombia, where he eventually retired from his playing career.
Coaching Success
Giúdice's greatest fame came as a coach, particularly during his time at Independiente and Velez Sarsfield in the 1960s.
Triumph with Independiente
In 1963, Giúdice took over as head coach of Independiente and led them to the Argentine championship. The team's success continued in 1964 when they won the Copa Libertadores. Their pragmatic and defensive approach mirrored that of the European powerhouse Internazionale under Argentine coach Helenio Herrera. Ironically, both Independiente in South America and Internazionale in Europe claimed the top continental trophies in 1964 and 1965. However, while Inter failed to repeat that triumph until 2010, Independiente went on to win the Copa Libertadores five more times and the Intercontinental Cup twice in the 1970s and 1980s. Giúdice's tenure ended in 1967 when he was replaced by Brazilian Oswaldo Brandao.
First Title for Velez Sarsfield
In 1968, Giúdice made history with Velez Sarsfield, leading the club to its first-ever Argentine championship. Velez triumphed in the Torneo Nacional, a complementary tournament to the regular Metropolitan championship played in Argentina at the time.
Awards and Honors
Player- Argentine Primera Division: 1945 (with River Plate)
Coach
- Argentine Primera Division: 1963, 1968 (Nacional)
- Copa Libertadores: 1964, 1965 (with Independiente)
