Quintet of coaches who failed to deliver World Cup repeat

PARIS

It may not be much of a consolation to Spain coach Vicente del Bosque after his world champions went out at the first stage of the World Cup on Wednesday but several other coaches have also tried and failed to back up their success four years later, with Italian Vittorio Pozzo the only man to achieve that in 1934 and 1938.

Here AFP Sport looks at five coaches feted as heroes and then four years later unable to deliver a repeat dose of success:

(Sir) Alf Ramsey - England (1966-70)

Mild-mannered and unassuming he managed to focus his side's minds despite captain and icon Bobby Moore being falsely accused of theft in a Colombian jewellery shop prior to the finals in Mexico. They reached the last eight and a repeat of the 1966 final with West Germany. England took a 2-0 lead only for the loss of goalkeeper Gordon Banks prior to the match because of an upset stomach to come back and haunt them as Peter Bonetti did not live up to his nickname 'the cat'. In an error-strewn display, he was at fault for one goal in the 3-2 defeat in extra-time. Ramsey survived but was sacked by the FA when England failed to reach the 1974 finals. "It still makes me angry that a man who achieved what he did for his country was tossed on the scrapheap," commented one of Ramsey's strikers in the failed 1974 campaign, Allan Clarke, nearly 40 years later.

Helmut Schoen - West Germany (1974-78)

Known as the 'man with the cap' due to his permanent piece of attire, he steered West Germany to the 1966 final then the 1970 semi-finals and subsequently a European title in 1972, as well as the World Cup at home two years later. However, like boxers who think there is one more knockout in them at world title level despite evidence to the contrary, so Schoen decided to try his hand at retaining the title in 1978 at the same time saying he would retire whatever the final result. The Germans reached the second group phase which included the Dutch -- who they had beaten in the '74 final -- but two draws meant they needed a result against neighbours Austria, who had nothing to play for as they had already been eliminated. But they showed little respect and beat the Germans 3-2 to put a dampener on the end of Schoen's golden era.

Cesare Menotti - Argentina (1978-92)

Known as the 'Thin One', it looked as if he eschewed eating for smoking such was his consumption of tobacco during matches. Delivered Argentina their first World Cup at home which delighted the unattractive military Junta that ruled the country, although Menotti walked a fine line as he appeared to be often critical of the regime. However, four years later he, like Del Bosque, remained loyal to the core of the team that won them the World Cup, with the notable exception of introducing Diego Maradona to the world. The opening day of the tournament was marked with the Junta conceding defeat in the Falklands War. Things were not much better on the pitch as Menotti's old warriors were unable to reach the heights of '78 and though they reached the second group stage, they lost to Italy and Brazil, with Maradona creating the headlines by being sent off. Menotti departed afterwards.

Enzo Bearzot - Italy (1982-86)

Bearzot was the epitome of a suave Italian sitting on the bench shielded by dark glasses and puffing on a pipe. Delivered the World Cup in wonderful fashion against West Germany in 1982, but like Del Bosque and Menotti found it impossible to drop his loyal players who had given him his greatest moment. The heat of Mexico proved beyond the veterans and they went out in the last 16, beaten by a classy French side. "For me, coaching Italy was a vocation which, as the years have passed, has become a profession. The game's values have changed since my day," said Bearzot on resigning after their exit and returning to his second love, collecting classical literature.

Marcello Lippi - Italy (2006-2010)

Devilishly good looking, many thought he bore more than a passing resemblance to Hollywood idol Paul Newman. Lippi left his post after the 2006 victory and took time off to enjoy his hobby of yachting but returned like an old Roman general called back to restore the Empire's honour after Italy went out in the Euro 2008 quarter-finals. The cheroot-puffing coach thought he could succeed where others had failed and relied on his old guard but despite qualifying and being drawn in a soft-looking group, they never got into their stride, even being held to a 1-1 draw by minnows New Zealand to exit at the first hurdle. "When you see a team that plays with fear in their legs and in their hearts, you understand that you have failed," said a gracious and humble Lippi afterwards.