1. Overview
Enrique Fernández Viola (Enrique Fernández ViolaSpanish), commonly known as Enrique Fernández, (10 June 1912 - 6 October 1985) was a distinguished Uruguayan football player and manager. Born in Montevideo, Uruguay, he achieved significant success in both roles across South America and Europe. As a player, he represented prominent clubs like Nacional and FC Barcelona, and earned caps for the Uruguay national team and the Catalan XI. His managerial career was particularly notable, as he guided Nacional to two Uruguayan Primera División titles, and uniquely led both FC Barcelona and Real Madrid to La Liga championships. Fernández holds the singular distinction of being the only coach to have won La Liga titles with both of Spain's iconic rival clubs, a feat that underscores his adaptable tactical acumen and profound impact on Spanish football. He is also one of only two coaches, alongside Radomir Antić, to have managed both FC Barcelona and Real Madrid. His legacy is defined by this unparalleled achievement and his widespread success across multiple clubs and national teams.
2. Early Life and Background
Enrique Fernández was born on 10 June 1912 in Montevideo, the capital city of Uruguay. Details about his specific family background and childhood are not extensively documented, but his early life in Montevideo set the stage for his emergence as a talented footballer in Uruguay before his eventual move to European leagues.
3. Playing Career
Enrique Fernández enjoyed a notable playing career, primarily as a forward, showcasing his skills at both club and international levels.
3.1. Club Career
Fernández began his professional club career in his native Uruguay with Nacional, one of the country's most successful clubs. During his tenure at Nacional, he contributed to the team's success, winning two Uruguayan Primera División titles in 1933 and 1934. He also played for other Argentine clubs such as Talleres (RE) and Independiente.
In January 1935, while still with Nacional, Fernández played a crucial role in the Uruguay national team's victory in the 1935 South American Championship. Following this success, he moved to Europe, joining Spanish giants FC Barcelona. Under the guidance of coaches Franz Platko and Patrick O'Connell, Fernández helped Barcelona secure two Campionat de Catalunya titles in the 1934-35 and 1935-36 seasons. He also played a part in Barcelona reaching the final of the Copa de España in 1936.
Fernández made his La Liga debut for Barcelona on 10 November 1935, in a 1-0 defeat against RCD Espanyol. During his time at the club, his teammates included prominent players like Joan Josep Nogués, Josep Escolà, and Domènec Balmanya. In La Liga, he played 17 games for FC Barcelona, scoring 8 goals. Notably, he netted a hat-trick against CA Osasuna in a 5-0 victory on 29 March 1936, and followed this with two goals against Athletic Bilbao on 4 April 1936. His final La Liga appearance for Barcelona was on 19 April 1936, in a 2-2 draw against Hércules CF. His playing career at FC Barcelona was abruptly cut short by the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War. At the time, Fernández was in Montevideo, and the club advised him to remain there for his safety.
3.2. International Career
Enrique Fernández represented the Uruguay national football team in a significant international competition. In January 1935, he was part of the Uruguayan squad that triumphed in the 1935 South American Championship. During this period, he played alongside his club teammate from Nacional, Héctor Castro.
Beyond his appearances for the Uruguayan national team, Fernández also played three times for the Catalan XI while he was with FC Barcelona. One notable appearance was on 19 January 1936, at the Les Corts stadium, where he participated in a testimonial match for Josep Samitier against SK Sidenice from Czechoslovakia. In this match, he played alongside other notable Catalan XI players, including Sagibarba and Domènec Balmanya.
4. Managerial Career
Following a serious knee injury that led to his early retirement as a player, Enrique Fernández embarked on a highly successful managerial career, leading several prominent clubs and national teams.
4.1. Club Management
Fernández began his managerial career in his home country, Uruguay, where he first coached Nacional. In 1946, he guided Nacional to a Uruguayan Primera División championship, marking his first major trophy as a coach.
In 1947, he returned to Spain to take charge of FC Barcelona. During his tenure, with a squad featuring key players such as Velasco, Ramallets, and Estanislao Basora, he led the club to back-to-back La Liga titles in the 1947-48 and 1948-49 seasons. In his third season, 1949, Barcelona also secured their first major international trophy, the Latin Cup. Despite these successes, the club finished fifth in La Liga that season, and Fernández was subsequently replaced by Fernando Daučík.
After his spell at Barcelona, Fernández rejoined Nacional in 1950, where he again led them to another Uruguayan Primera División championship, demonstrating his consistent success in Uruguay.
In 1953, Fernández was appointed coach of Real Madrid for the 1953-54 season. With a formidable team that included legendary players such as Alfredo Di Stéfano, Francisco Gento, Miguel Muñoz, Luis Molowny, and Héctor Rial, he guided Real Madrid to their first La Liga title since 1933, breaking a long drought for the club. He continued to manage Real Madrid for the first 10 games of the 1954-55 season before being replaced by José Villalonga.
Fernández's career saw him manage several other clubs across South America and Europe. He coached Colo-Colo in Chile from 1955 to 1956, leading them to a Chilean Primera División title in 1956. He also had a stint with Sporting CP in Portugal from 1957 to 1959. In Spain, he managed Real Betis for 10 games during the 1959-60 season. Later in his career, he coached River Plate in Argentina in 1963 and Palestino in Chile in 1965.
4.2. International Management
Beyond his club achievements, Enrique Fernández also had a period managing the Uruguay national football team. In July 1961, he coached Uruguay in two World Cup qualifying games against Bolivia. He had a second stint managing the national team from 1967 to 1969.
5. Honours
Enrique Fernández achieved significant success throughout his career as both a player and a manager, accumulating numerous titles and awards.
5.1. Player Honours
Nacional
- Uruguayan Primera División: 1933, 1934
Uruguay
- South American Championship: 1935
FC Barcelona
- Copa de España: Runners-Up 1936
- Campionat de Catalunya: 1934-35, 1935-36
5.2. Managerial Honours
Nacional
- Uruguayan Primera División: 1946, 1950
FC Barcelona
- La Liga: 1947-48, 1948-49
- Latin Cup: 1949
Real Madrid
- La Liga: 1953-54
Colo-Colo
- Chilean Primera División: 1956
6. Death
Enrique Fernández passed away on 6 October 1985, at the age of 73. He died in Montevideo, Uruguay, the same city where he was born. The specific circumstances or cause of his death are not detailed in public records.
7. Legacy
Enrique Fernández left an indelible mark on football history, particularly for his unique achievements as a manager. His most remarkable legacy is the unparalleled feat of winning La Liga titles with both FC Barcelona and Real Madrid. This accomplishment highlights his exceptional adaptability and tactical prowess, as he successfully navigated the distinct cultures and high expectations of two of the world's most fiercely competitive rival clubs. This dual triumph cemented his reputation as a versatile and highly effective coach capable of building and leading championship-winning teams in diverse environments. Along with Radomir Antić, he stands as one of only two coaches to have managed both of these Spanish football giants, yet he remains the sole individual to have secured league titles with both. His influence extended beyond Spain, as evidenced by his success in his native Uruguay with Nacional and in Chile with Colo-Colo, underscoring his broad impact across the footballing world. Fernández's career exemplified a blend of strategic insight and a deep understanding of the game, earning him a lasting place in the annals of football.