Renowned Argentine Coach Cesar Luis Menotti Passes Away at 85. He was well known for his influence in football.

Under his leadership in 1973, Huracan clinched their first league title since 1928. He assumed the role of national team manager in 1974 and, despite his affiliation with the Communist Party, remained in the position during the military's takeover in 1976.Menotti, affectionately called the "Thin One," was a striking presence on the sidelines, smoking and gazing calmly from beneath his unkempt hair.

"I never visit the barber. I cut my own hair," he once remarked.

Despite losing his father to cancer at 16, Menotti also developed a heavy smoking habit. He referred to it as "my companion in solitude," but he quit after undergoing lung surgery in 2011.

In 1979, Menotti led Argentina to victory in the under-20 World Cup, with Maradona on the team, defeating the Soviet Union 3-1 in the final.

His tenure ended after the 1982 World Cup in Spain, coinciding with Argentina's conflict in the Falklands War. Argentina was eliminated by Brazil 3-1 in the second round, during which Maradona was sent off.

Menotti achieved success with Barcelona, winning two cups in two seasons. These were the final trophies in a coaching career that took him to Italy, Mexico, Uruguay, and back to Argentina.

He harbored a lifelong rivalry with coaches in the more pragmatic Argentine tradition, viewing football styles as inherently political.

Menotti, a forward, began his playing career with his hometown club, Rosario Central.

He later moved to Boca Juniors, winning an Argentine title, then played for the New York Generals before joining Santos in Brazil, where he played alongside Pele.

After retiring, he became an assistant coach at Rosario Central's city rivals, Newell's Old Boys.

In 1973, he led Huracan to their only league title since 1928. He became the national team manager in 1974 and, despite being a member of the Communist Party, remained in the position when the military took control in 1976.

In 2018, he told El Grafico, an Argentine sports magazine, that "it was more effective to fight from within than from without."