Vittorio Pozzo - Coach of The National Team

Coach of The National Team

Pozzo returned to coach the Italy national team on a permanent basis from December 1929 onwards on the basis that he would accept no money for the position. Italy won the 1930 version of the Central European International Cup, defeating Hungary 5-0 in Budapest where Hungary had yet to fail to win a game. They pipped the title from Meisl’s Austrian side, the so-called Wunderteam who went on to win the second edition of that tournament. As a memento of that victory, Pozzo would always carry a chip off the Central European International trophy. The trophy, made of Bohemian crystal, was dropped when Italy first won it, smashing into so many pieces that it could not be fixed.

Pozzo was remembered as a decisive leader. Following the 1930 defeat to Spain, Pozzo dropped Adolfo Baloncieri, his captain and an international of ten years standing. In the lead-up to the 1934 tournament, the auguries were not good. In 1932, Austria beat Italy, as did the Czechs, while a defeat to Hungary was only averted because of a missed penalty. This led to Pozzo bringing back the Bologna player Angelo Schiavio, who had been a regular goalscorer for his club, but in February 1934 with the World Cup looming Austria defeated Italy in Turin 4-2, Again Pozzo felled the axe on the team captain Umberto Caligaris.