Birthday salute to Bearzot

UEFA President Michel Platini is among countless members of the football family paying tribute to Italy's former national-team coach Enzo Bearzot – who led his country to FIFA World Cup glory in 1982 – on his 80th birthday.

Italian monument
Bearzot is a hero in his homeland for his feat of capturing the world title in Spain, and is vastly respected throughout the world of football. "I would like to wish the happiest of birthdays to Enzo, who is a football legend, and thank him once more for all that he has given to the world of football, and to Italian football in particular," said Mr Platini. "I have always had the greatest of admiration and respect for him, and I still remember the moment when he lifted the trophy in 1982."

Playing career
Enzo Bearzot was born in Joanni di Ajello del Friuli on 26 September 1927. He spent his playing career at the higher levels with AS Pro Gorizia, Calcio Catania, FC Internazionale Milano and Torino FC. His only appearance for the Italian national side came in 1955, in a 2-0 defeat by Hungary in Budapest. After quitting football in 1964, he became a goalkeeping coach and then assistant to two famous Italian coaches, Nereo Rocco and Edmondo Fabbri at Torino. His first head coach's role was at AC Prato before, in 1969, he began working for the Italian Football Federation (FIGC).

Senior appointment
After serving with the Under-23 team and as assistant to national-team bosses Ferruccio Valcareggi and Fulvio Bernardini, and working in tandem with the latter for a spell, he was appointed Azzurri coach in 1977. The following year, a fine Italy side finished fourth in the World Cup in Argentina

Spanish glory
His moment of true glory arrived in 1982, when his team overcame a stuttering start at the World Cup to prevail in style. Italy beat West Germany 3-1 in the final in Madrid to lift the crown – and Bearzot was honoured with the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic. He left the post in 1986 after a record 104 games at the helm – 88 alone and 16 alongside Bernardini – and a sequence of 51 wins, 28 draws and 25 defeats. In 2002, Bearzot was named president of the FIGC technical sector but left this office in 2005.

Playing cards
Revered for his wisdom, Bearzot earned the affectionate nickname of 'Vecio' – Old Man in his native north-eastern dialect. He is fondly remembered for playing cards with the then Italian president Sandro Pertini on the plane back from Spain after winning the World Cup.