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Weisz ArpadHungarian, of Jewish descent, footballer and coach
Date of Birth: 16.04.1896
Country:  Hungary |
Content:
- Arpad Weisz: A Hungarian Football Legend
- International Travels
- Coaching Career
- Success in Italy
- Triumphs with Bari and Bologna
- Discrimination and Tragedy
- Legacy
Arpad Weisz: A Hungarian Football Legend
Rise to ProminenceArpad Weisz, a Hungarian footballer and coach of Jewish descent, began his career as a left-winger for Törekvés SE. Despite the team's success, they were unable to rival the dominance of MTK Budapest. Weisz made his international debut for Hungary and participated in the 1924 Paris Olympics as a reserve player.
International Travels
In 1923, Weisz moved to Czechoslovakia to join Makkabi Brno, a Jewish club competing in a separate league. Consisting primarily of Hungarian Jewish players, Makkabi toured Europe extensively, attracting the attention of Italian clubs. One such club, Padova, acquired Weisz, and he later signed with Inter Milan, where he ended his playing career due to a severe injury.
Coaching Career
Early StepsWeisz commenced his coaching career as an assistant at Alessandria before taking over as manager of Inter Milan in 1926. During his tenure, he brought 17-year-old Giuseppe Meazza into the first team. After leaving Inter in 1928, Weisz traveled to South America to study football in Argentina and Uruguay.
Success in Italy
Upon his return to Italy, Weisz returned to Inter and led them to their first Serie A championship, marking the inaugural season of Italy's new league system. He then guided Inter to the semi-finals of the Mitropa Cup but was dismissed after a disappointing fifth-place finish in Serie A.
Triumphs with Bari and Bologna
Weisz took over at newly promoted Bari and managed to keep them in Serie A. After a second stint with Inter, he moved to Bologna. In his first season, Bologna finished mid-table, but in the following two, they won the Serie A title. Despite their domestic success, Bologna failed to progress past the first round of the Mitropa Cup.
Discrimination and Tragedy
In 1938, Weisz was forced to resign from Bologna due to Italy's anti-Semitic laws. He moved to Paris and later the Netherlands, where he coached Dordrecht. However, after the German occupation, Weisz and his family faced increasing persecution. In 1942, they were arrested and sent to the Westerbork concentration camp. Weisz was eventually transferred to Auschwitz, where he and his family were murdered.
Legacy
Arpad Weisz's memory has been honored through a book, "Dallo scudetto ad Auschwitz," and an annual football tournament in Rome named after him to commemorate the victims of the Holocaust.
