José María Minella

José María Minella (Mar del Plata, 1909 - 1981) was an Argentine footballer and manager. He played for and managed Argentina's national team.

José María Minella
Minella playing for River Plate in 1937.
Personal information
Date of birth August 9, 1909
Place of birth Mar del Plata, Argentina
Date of death August 13, 1981
Playing position(s) Midfielder
Youth career
Independiente (Mar del Plata)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1928–1934 Gimnasia La Plata
1935–1942 River Plate
1942–1943 Peñarol
1944 Green Cross
National team
1933–1941 Argentina 24 (1)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Club career

Minella started playing at local club Independiente of Mar del Plata. On 23 August 1925, he was part of the local league team that achieved a 1-0 win over a team made of battleship HMS Repulse´s crewmembers during the Prince of Wales visit to Argentina.[1] In 1928 he was signed by Gimnasia La Plata who won the amateur Argentine championship in 1929. He played in the team nicknamed El Expreso (The express) that nearly won the championship in 1933.

In 1935 he moved to River Plate where he was part of three championship winning teams in 1936, 1937 and 1941.

Towards the end of his playing career he played in Uruguay with Peñarol and in Chile with Green Cross.

International career

Minella made his international debut in 1933, he played three times in the Copa América, in 1935, 1937 and 1941. Argentina won the 1937 and 1941 editions. He played a total of 24 games for his country netting one goal.

Managerial career

Minella took over as manager of River Plate in 1945, he led the team through one of the most successful eras in their history. Between 1952 and 1957 they won five championships in six years, including the club's second treble in the professional era (1955, 1956 and 1957). He also won the Copa Aldao in 1947.

Minella had a spell as manager of the Argentina national team between 1964 and 1965, he returned as caretaker manager for one game in 1968. As national coach, he won the Taça das Nações played in Brazil in 1964.

Legacy

In preparation for the 1978 FIFA World Cup a football stadium was built in Mar del Plata and named Estadio José María Minella after his death in 1981 to honour Mar del Plata's most significant football talent.

Titles
Minella (River) and Gestido (Peñarol) before a friendly match in 1938

As a player

Club Titles

Season Team Title
1929Gimnasia La PlataArgentine championship
1936River PlatePrimera División Argentina
1937River PlatePrimera División Argentina
1937River PlateCopa Aldao
1941River PlatePrimera División Argentina

National team titles

Season Team Title
1937ArgentinaCopa América
1941ArgentinaCopa América

As a manager

Club titles
Season Team Title
1945River PlatePrimera División Argentina
1947River PlatePrimera División Argentina
1947River PlateCopa Aldao
1952River PlatePrimera División Argentina
1952River PlateCopa Ibarguren
1953River PlatePrimera División Argentina
1955River PlatePrimera División Argentina
1956River PlatePrimera División Argentina
1957River PlatePrimera División Argentina
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References
  1. El Repulse en Mar del Plata (in Spanish)
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