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Benfica and the curse of Bela Guttman
A phrase from 60 years ago that continues to be valid
As on previous occasions, in this edition of the UEFA Champions League, the Portuguese team, SL Benfica, will not be champions of this competition; remembering, once again, the words spoken by one of his greatest coaches, the Hungarian, Bela Guttman.
Bela Guttman was one of the best Technical Directors of his time, creating revolutionary schemes that managed to change the dynamics of the game in the 1950s.
Thanks to these changes in the way of playing, Bela Guttman was able to create victorious teams wherever he went, whether in South America, such as when he led Peñarol in Uruguay; or his performance in the old continent, where he stood out with Benfica's two-time European championship.
The life of this Technical Director was never exempt from controversy, and when in 1962, he asked the board of directors of the Portuguese club for a well-deserved salary increase; the club's refusal made Bela Guttman utter a few words, which continue to be remembered to this day.
The story of the last European Champion with Benfica
Who was Bella Guttman?
On January 27, 1899, one of the best technical directors of the 20th century would come into the world. He was born in the city of Budapest, present-day Hungary, which at that time was part of the Austro-Hungarian empire.
Bela Guttman belonged to a family of Jews who, at the outbreak of World War II, suffered the ravages of Jewish extermination perpetrated by the Nazis.
His career as a professional player began in Hungary in 1919, later moving on to play in Austria, and later in the United States, where he would play from 1926 to 1932.
For that year he would return to Europe, beginning his prolific coaching career in Austria, alternating with Hungarian teams in his early years. He had some internships in the Netherlands and Romania; until the 1950s, when he would conduct in Italy for the first time.
Between 1953 and 1955, he would be the Technical Director of AC Milan, who despite leading the team to the top of the table in 1955, Bela Guttman, would be fired by the club.
His departure was due to different conflicts with the board of directors, who preferred to let Guttman free, regardless of Milan's position, rather than continue dealing with him.
After this, he would continue managing several clubs, until in 1957 he would be the coach of São Paulo in Brazil, where he would carry his 4-2-4 tactical scheme.
This form of play would penetrate deeply into this country, the national team arriving to use this type of line-up in the 1958 World Cup, where they would become world champions.
The following year, Bela Guttman will coach Porto in Portugal, before moving on to the staunch rival and best team in the country at the time, SL Benfica.
Bela Guttman and her time at Benfica
Between 1958 and 1962, Bela Guttman would be Benfica's manager, writing between 1960 and 1962 some of the most glorious pages of this important soccer team.
Upon arriving at Benfica, a sports renovation of the team would begin, giving priority to young players, and leaving several important figures.
Among the young players Guttman hired, the effigy of Eusebio stands out, one of the greatest players in Portuguese football, who considered Guttman his mentor.
By 1960, Benfica would win the Portuguese First Division cup, giving the team the opportunity to play in the European Cup, which they would win in the 1960-61 season, and then from 1961 to 1962.
In the 1962 European Cup final, Benfica led by Bela Guttman would come out champions by beating Real Madrid ; a team that in those days had several of its greatest figures, such as Ferenc Puskás, or the legendary Alfredo di Stefano.
It would be after this important victory that the Hungarian coach would ask the board for that salary increase, which after being rejected, would not only motivate Guttman's departure from Benfica, but would leave them with a " curse ", which continues to this day. days.
“In 100 years from today, Benfica will not win a European Cup” would be the prophetic phrase, which still resonates among Portuguese fans.
That same year of 1962, Bela Guttman would make history, by becoming the only Technical Director in history, to lead two teams in a European Cup final and then in the Copa Libertadores, the same year.
It would be with Peñarol from Uruguay, an atypical final, since it had to be defined in three games; however, unlike in the European Cup, Bela Guttman and his team would lose in the final duel, 3-0, against Santos from Brazil.
The curse of Bela Guttman, in the 21st century
There are still forty years to go before the hundred decreed by Bela Guttman will be completed.
However, since 1962, Benfica has played several finals, both in the Champions League and in the UEFA Europa League, losing all these finals.
In the 21st century they have played two Europa League finals, one in 2013 against Chelsea, where they would lose 2-1; and another in 2014 against Sevilla, losing on penalties, in a very exciting game, where it seemed that the curse would be broken.
In this edition of the Champions League, the Portuguese team was able to reach the quarterfinals.
In their last Champions League match in 2022, they ended up losing against the Liverpool team, in a game where several goals were annulled due to an advanced position; reminding fans that the curse of Bela Guttman is still present.
