Just like November 13th every year, this Thursday is Argentina’s National Football Technical Directors’ Day. This date was chosen to honor the institutions that currently regulate them.
National Football Technical Directors Day has its origins in the creation and establishment of the Argentine Football Technical Directors Association (AFTA). This regulatory body was established in 1963 to support and defend all professionals who hold important positions in sport.
Engineers who passed through La Plata
The truth is that our city is the birthplace of great coaches. For example, the three who passed through La Plata were world champions and runners-up of the Argentine national team. Carlos Salvador Bilardo, who played and coached at Estudiantes, established himself in Mexico in 1986 at the hands of Diego Maradona. Lionel Scaloni, who wore the Pincia shirt as a footballer, also recently lifted the cup at the Qatar 2022 tournament under the banner of star player Rio Messi. Meanwhile, former player and gray-haired coach Alejandro Sabella lost in the final of the 2014 Brazil tournament. When it comes to managers, it’s hard to forget Osvaldo Zverdia, winner of the Intercontinental Cup against Manchester United at Old Trafford in 1968 (along with three Copa Libertadores and Interamericana), or the recent likes of Diego “Cholo” Simeone and Eduardo. Dominguez is also a champion.
The gymnastics department attracted great technicians, including the “virtuoso” Carlos Timoteo Griguol. With his help, Lobo put together an era-defining team. There is also Pacho Maturana, former coach of the Colombian national team, and Jose Baraka, who spent three terms at the club, including as manager of the team known as “La Barredora”. For their part, the cast of Alviazur recalls Adolfo Pederna, the creator of Lobo in 1962, and José Ripouillon, the 29-year champion.
And how can we forget Don Miguel Ignomiliello, who, like Luis Garisto Pan, sat on the bench of Gimnasia and Estudiantes in La Plata?
Apart from their professional activities, there are people from La Plata who dedicate their lives to amateur soccer almost every week. Whether in local senior leagues or children’s soccer, hundreds of our city’s residents, from the oldest to the youngest, “play” to become coaches with the same passion as those who work in the field. Also recognition and applause for them.
Football Technical Directors’ Day: Why is it celebrated?
The origins of National Football Managers’ Day celebrations date back to a time of increasing precariousness for workers in the profession. Therefore, a group of “enthusiasts” decided to create an organization representing all employees.
The group of men who once occupied the offices of the iconic magazine El Graffico included José Ramos, Osvaldo Zuverdia (a coach who won multiple championships with Estudiantes in the late 60s and early 70s), Manuel Legadas, Manuel Giudice, Antonio Fardutti, H. Fernández Roca, Rubén Bravo, Rodolfo Clari and Horacio. Torres founded what is now known as the Football Coaches Association. Argentina (AFTA).
National Football Technical Directors’ Day has been decided to be observed to honor the men and women who have led their teams to the greatest glory, as well as those who have organized organizations that seek to protect the interests and rights of these passionate workers.
About The Author
