European Champions Managers History
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The European Championships is the biggest festival of football in Europe as it brings together the 24 best teams in the continent, who battle it out for the chance to win one of the biggest prizes in football. The tournament was first played over 50 years ago in 1960 and we are currently awaiting the eagerly anticipated Euro 2016, which takes place in France between 10 June & 10 July 2016.
Not only have there been a number of famous teams to have won the European Championships, including Holland in 1998 and Spain in 2010, but many big profile managers have also got their hands on the trophy. Being in charge of a national team is a very tough job. Not only are you under overwhelming pressure but you have to deal with huge levels of expectation. It takes a certain type of manager to experience success internationally due to the limited amount of time you get to spend with players. However, the rewards are great as you have the adoration and respect of a whole country if you can lead a nation to glory at a major tournament.
Berti Vogts holds the unique title of winning the tournament as both a player and a manager. Back in 1972 he was part of the West Germany side that beat the Soviet Union 3-0 in the Final and then 24 years later he was in charge of the German national team who beat Czech Republic in Euro 1996.
Meanwhile, Otto Rehhagel of Germany remains the first and only manager to win the European Championship in charge of a different country. In 2004 Rehhagel led Greece to victory at Euro 2004, which remains the biggest shock in the tournament's history. No manager has ever won the tournament twice.
Famously England have never won a European Championships. The Three Lions are due to take place in their eighth tournament this summer and the closest they have got to glory is on home soil in 1996 under boss Terry Venables. Alan Shearer and co managed to reach the semi-finals but were inevitably knocked-out on penalties to old rivals Germany. In 2016 Roy Hodgson will be tasked with breaking the curse and bringing home the trophy, which will be a huge challenge for the former West Brom boss, but one he will no doubt relish.
European Championship Winning Managers
1960: Gavriil Kachalin (Soviet Union)
1964: José Villalonga (Spain)
1968: Ferruccio Valcareggi (Italy)
1972: Helmut Schön (West Germany)
1976: Vaclav Jezek (Czechoslovakia)
1980: Jupp Derwall (West Germany)
1984: Michel Hidalgo (France)
1988: Rinus Michels (Netherlands)
1992: Richard Møller (Denmark)
1996: Berti Vogts (Germany)
2000: Roger Lemerre (France)
2004: Otto Rehhagel (Greece)
2008: Luis Aragonès (Spain)
2012: Vicente de Bosque (Spain)
2016: Fernando Santos (Portugal)