In 1978, Cesar Luis Menotti led Argentina to a World Cup victory on home soil. The team defeated the Netherlands 3-1 after extra time, with two goals from Mario Kempes, who was named the player of the tournament. Menotti’s coaching career spanned over three decades and included stints in various countries such as Italy, Mexico, Uruguay, and Argentina.
One of his most notable achievements as a coach was winning two trophies in a two-season stint with Barcelona. Despite controversy surrounding his decision not to include a 17-year-old Diego Maradona in the squad for the 1978 World Cup, he went on to lead Argentina to victory in 1978. However, Maradona played a crucial role in the team’s success the following year when they won the Under-20 World Cup. Menotti’s tenure as the national team coach ended after the 1982 World Cup in Spain where they were eliminated by Brazil in the second round, with Maradona receiving a red card.