1. Overview
Luis Antonio Carniglia (Luis Antonio CarnigliaLuis Antonio CarnigliaSpanish; October 4, 1917 - June 22, 2001) was an Argentine football player and manager. Born in Olivos, Buenos Aires, he was primarily a striker during his playing career, notably for Boca Juniors in the 1930s. However, he is most renowned for his highly successful managerial tenure with Real Madrid in the late 1950s, where he achieved significant European Cup and La Liga titles. His career spanned both Argentina and Europe, marked by notable achievements as both a player and a coach.
2. Playing Career
Carniglia's playing career began in Argentina before he moved to Europe, where he continued to play and eventually transitioned into management.
2.1. Early Career and Boca Juniors
Born in Olivos, Carniglia began his football journey in 1932 with Club de Olivos, a fourth-division club. After one season, he moved to Club Atlético Tigre, which served as a stepping stone to his childhood dream club, Boca Juniors. He signed with Boca in 1936. His debut for Boca, a friendly match against Parana, was eventful: he scored within three minutes but suffered a fractured left arm in the fifth minute. Despite the injury, Boca won the game 3-0. Carniglia was a crucial member of the Boca Juniors squad that won the Argentine First Division and the Copa Dr. Carlos Ibarguren in 1940. A significant setback occurred in 1941 when he broke his leg during a match against San Lorenzo. The recovery process took three years, during which he played for Chacarita Juniors and Atlas, but he never fully regained his pre-injury form.
2.2. European Playing Career
To prolong his career, Carniglia moved to France, playing in Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 for clubs such as SC Toulon and OGC Nice. His time in France, though in his later playing years, was fruitful. With OGC Nice, he won the Ligue 1 title and the Coupe de France in 1952. He secured another Coupe de France title with Nice in 1954. It was also at OGC Nice that he transitioned into his managerial career.
3. Managerial Career
Carniglia's managerial career was extensive, marked by significant success, particularly in France and Spain, and included spells with several prominent clubs across Europe and South America.
3.1. OGC Nice
Following his return to OGC Nice in 1953, Carniglia played for two more seasons before officially retiring as a player. He then took over as the new manager of Nice, succeeding the British coach George Berry. His transition to management was met with immediate success, as he led Nice to win the Ligue 1 title in his very first year, the 1955-56 season. The subsequent season, 1956-57, saw Nice finish 13th in Ligue 1. After this season, Carniglia departed Nice to take on the challenge of managing the Spanish football giant, Real Madrid. Nice replaced him with the French coach Jean Luciano.
3.2. Real Madrid
Carniglia served as the head coach of Real Madrid from June 1957 to July 1959, with a brief two-month interruption in February 1959 due to a renal colic. During his tenure, Real Madrid boasted an array of the world's greatest football talents, including Alfredo di Stéfano (a Ballon d'Or recipient at the time), Francisco Gento, Raymond Kopa, and Héctor Rial. This already formidable squad was further bolstered by the additions of José Santamaría in 1957 and Ferenc Puskás in 1958. Carniglia initially held reservations about Puskás, who had not played professionally for over a year and was significantly overweight upon his arrival. Carniglia rigorously trained Puskás, who reportedly lost 33 lb (15 kg) before his first La Liga game against Oviedo. A notable incident occurred when Carniglia controversially omitted Puskás from the starting lineup for the 1959 European Cup final. This decision reportedly led to his dismissal by Real Madrid chairman Santiago Bernabéu. Despite his departure, Carniglia's time at Real Madrid remains the most successful period of his managerial career. He led the club to two consecutive European Cup victories: in 1958, they defeated A.C. Milan 3-2, and in 1959, they secured a 2-0 win over Reims. He also guided Real Madrid to the La Liga title in 1958.
3.3. Italian and Spanish Clubs
Following his successful spell at Real Madrid, Carniglia had brief tenures at Italian clubs ACF Fiorentina and A.S. Bari. In 1961, he took charge of Roma, where he achieved further success by winning the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup in 1961. His time at Roma concluded in 1963 with a mid-season departure, reportedly due to disagreements with the club's directors. Subsequently, he took over AC Milan, the very team his Real Madrid side had defeated in the 1958 European Cup Final. As the reigning European Cup holders, Milan participated in the Intercontinental Cup in 1963, facing the formidable Brazilian side Santos, featuring the legendary Pelé at the peak of his powers. Milan won the opening leg 4-2 in Milan, with Pelé scoring both goals for Santos. Before the second leg, rumors emerged that the Argentinian referee had been bribed, and Milan's request to change the match official was denied. Santos won the second leg 4-2, playing without an injured Pelé. With the two legs tied, a decisive third playoff game was held in Santos just 48 hours after the second leg, with the same controversial match official. In the third minute of the playoff, Giovanni Trapattoni was judged to have fouled a player in the box, resulting in a penalty for Santos, which they converted. Cesare Maldini's protests led to his sending off, and Santos ultimately won the fixture 1-0. Carniglia also managed Deportivo de La Coruña in Spain from 1964 to 1965.
3.4. Other Managerial Roles
Carniglia's extensive managerial career also included spells at other prominent clubs. He managed Bologna FC in Italy from 1965 to 1968. He also had a period at Juventus FC (1969-1970), CA San Lorenzo de Almagro in his native Argentina (1973), and FC Girondins de Bordeaux in France (1978-1979).
4. Post-Managerial Career
After concluding his coaching career, Luis Carniglia remained involved in football in administrative capacities. He served as the General Manager for Boca Juniors, working alongside coach Silvio Marzolini. Furthermore, he held a significant role as the first president of the Futbolistas Argentinos Agremiados (FAA), Argentina's footballers' union, underscoring his commitment to the sport beyond the pitch.
5. Personal Life
Luis Carniglia's son, Luis César Carniglia, also pursued a career in football. Luis César played his entire career in Italy, including some matches in Serie A before moving to amateur leagues. It is noted that various media outlets and references have occasionally confused the father and son, mistakenly considering them to be the same individual.
6. Honours
Luis Carniglia achieved significant team titles during his successful managerial career.
- Nice**
- Ligue 1: 1955-56
- Real Madrid**
- La Liga: 1957-58
- European Cup: 1957-58, 1958-59
- Roma**
- Inter-Cities Fairs Cup: 1960-61
7. Death and Burial
Luis Carniglia passed away on June 22, 2001. He was laid to rest in the renowned La Recoleta Cemetery in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
8. Legacy and Assessment
Luis Carniglia's legacy in football is primarily cemented by his remarkable achievements as a manager, particularly his tenure at Real Madrid. His back-to-back European Cup victories in 1958 and 1959, coupled with a La Liga title, mark him as one of the most successful coaches in the club's illustrious history and a significant figure in European football during the late 1950s. He demonstrated exceptional leadership in managing a squad of global superstars, effectively integrating talents like Ferenc Puskás despite initial challenges. Beyond his coaching prowess, Carniglia's contributions extended to his playing career, where he secured domestic titles in both Argentina and France. His pioneering role as the first president of the Futbolistas Argentinos Agremiados (FAA), the Argentine footballers' union, further underscores his lasting impact on the sport, highlighting his commitment to the welfare and representation of players in his home country. His career, marked by both playing and managerial success, established him as a respected and historically significant figure in international football.