Guy Thys facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Guy Thys

Guy Thys pictured in 1976
Personal information
Full name	Guy Jean Léonard Thys
Date of birth	(1922-12-06)6 December 1922
Place of birth	Antwerp, Belgium
Date of death	1 August 2003(2003-08-01) (aged 80)
Place of death	Antwerp, Belgium
Height	1.82 m (6 ft 0 in)
Playing position	Forward
Youth career
1934–1939	Beerschot
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
1939–1950	Beerschot	143	(60)
1942–1943	→ Daring Bruxelles (loan)	26	(12)
1950–1954	Standard Liège	104	(46)
1954–1958	Cercle Brugge	107	(41)
Total		380	(159)
National team
1952–1953	Belgium	2	(0)
Teams managed
1954–1958	Cercle Brugge
1958–1959	Lokeren
1960–1963	Wezel Sport
1963–1966	Herentals
1966–1969	Beveren
1969–1973	Union Saint-Gilloise
1973–1976	Royal Antwerp
1976–1989	Belgium
1990–1991	Belgium
Honours Men's football Representing  Belgium (as manager) UEFA European Championship Runner-up 1980
Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. † Appearances (Goals).

Guy Jean-Leonard Thys (born December 6, 1922 – died August 1, 2003) was a famous Belgian football manager. He is best known for leading the Belgium national football team, also called the Red Devils, to their greatest successes. He guided them to the final of the UEFA European Championship in 1980. He also led them to a fantastic fourth-place finish at the 1986 FIFA World Cup.

Playing and Coaching Career

Guy Thys was born in Antwerp, Belgium. He started his football journey as a player in the 1940s and 1950s. He played for clubs like Beerschot, Daring Molenbeek, and Standard Liège. He even played two matches for the Belgian national team in 1952 and 1953.

After his playing days, Guy Thys became a coach. He even coached and played at the same time for Cercle Brugge from 1954 to 1958. He then coached other teams like Racing Lokeren, Wezel, Herentals, Beveren, Union Sint-Gillis, and Antwerp. Under his guidance, Antwerp reached the Belgian Cup final and finished second in the league twice.

In 1976, Guy Thys became the manager of the Belgian national team. He stayed in this important role until 1989. During this time, he managed the team in 101 games, winning 45 of them! He briefly stepped down but was re-appointed in 1990 to lead the team in the 1990 World Cup. Belgium made it past the group stage but lost to England in the second round. Guy Thys retired from coaching in 1991.

Great Moments with the Red Devils

Under Guy Thys, the Red Devils had some amazing moments on the world stage.

• In 1980, Belgium reached the final of the European Championship. They played against Germany in Rome and narrowly lost.
• At the 1982 World Cup, Belgium surprised everyone. They beat the reigning world champions, Argentina, 1–0 in their very first game.
• The 1986 World Cup in Mexico was another highlight. Belgium finished an incredible fourth place. They beat strong teams like Spain and the Soviet Union. They were eventually defeated by Diego Maradona and his Argentine team in the semi-finals.

Death

Guy Thys passed away on August 1, 2003. He is remembered as a true legend of Belgian football.

Honours

Guy Thys achieved many great things in his football career, both as a player and as a manager.

As a Player

Standard Liège

• Belgian Cup: 1953–54 (Winner)

As Player/Manager

Cercle Brugge

• Belgian Third Division: 1955–56 (Winner)

As a Manager

Beveren

• Belgian Second Division: 1966–67 (Winner)

Royal Antwerp

• Belgian First Division (Runner-up): 1973–74, 1974–75
• Belgian Cup (Runner-up): 1974–75

International Achievements (with Belgium)

• UEFA European Championship: 1980 (Runners-up)
• FIFA World Cup: 1986 (Fourth place)
• Belgian Sports Merit Award: 1980

Individual Awards

• World Soccer Magazine Manager of the Year: 1986
• Coach of the Platina 11 (Best Team of 50 Years Golden Shoe Winners): 2003
• Guy Thys Awards [nl]: From 2011 (An award named after him)
• RBFA 125 Years Icons Team Coach: 2020