Introduction
Vicente Ítalo Feola (20 November 1909 – 6 November 1975) was a Brazilian football manager and coach who lived in São Paulo. He became famous for leading the Brazilians to their first FIFA World Cup title in 1958.
Biography
Feola was born in São Paulo to Italian parents.
As São Paulo FC coach, Feola won the 1948 and 1949 Campeonato Paulista. As Seleção boss in 1958, Feola introduced a 17-year-old Pele to the footballing world, winning the FIFA World Cup in Sweden, the first and to date only time a non-European side has won a World Cup on European soil. The team trained in Hindås in Sweden during the tournament (pictured). Feola was appointed manager of Argentine club Boca Juniors briefly in 1961. He returned as coach of the Brazilian national team in the 1966 FIFA World Cup. Under his command, Brazil played 74 times, having won 55 games, tied 13 and lost 6 times. He died in 1975 aged 65.
World Cup
In the first round of 1966 FIFA World Cup, Brazil lost their second game against Hungary. Pelé, although still recovering, was brought back for the last crucial match against Portugal for which Feola, panicked. He changed the entire defense, including the goalkeeper. In the attack, he maintained Jairzinho and substituted the other two players. In the midfield, he returned to the formation of the first match, even knowing that Pelé was still not fully recovered from his serious injuries.
Honours
Club
- São Paulo FC
- Campeonato Paulista 1948, 1949
International
- Brazil (Manager)
- FIFA World Cup: 1958