Otto Glória facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Otto Glória

Glória in 1969
Personal information
Full name	Otto Martins Glória
Date of birth	(1917-01-09)9 January 1917
Place of birth	Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Date of death	4 September 1986(1986-09-04) (aged 69)
Teams managed
Years	Team
1951	Vasco da Gama
1954–1959	Benfica
1959–1961	Belenenses
1961	Sporting
1962	Marseille
1963	Vasco da Gama
1964–1965	Porto
1965–1966	Sporting
1964–1966	Portugal
1966–1968	Atlético Madrid
1968–1970	Benfica
1971–1972	Grêmio
1973–1977	Portuguesa
1977	Santos
1978–1979	Monterrey
1979	Vasco da Gama
1978–1981	Nigeria
1982–1983	Portugal
Honours Men's football Representing  Portugal (as manager) FIFA World Cup Third 1966 Representing  Nigeria (as manager) Africa Cup of Nations Winner 1980

Otto Martins Glória (born January 9, 1917 – died September 4, 1986) was a famous Brazilian football coach. He is best known for his amazing success with Benfica in Portugal and for leading the Portuguese national team to a historic third place at the 1966 FIFA World Cup. He also guided the Nigerian national team to win the 1980 African Cup of Nations.

Otto Glória's Coaching Journey

Otto Glória was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Even though he was Brazilian, he achieved his biggest successes in Portugal. He helped the club Benfica win many national trophies. He also led the Nigerian national team to victory in the 1980 African Cup of Nations.

First Time at Benfica

When Otto Glória first joined Benfica, from 1954 to 1959, he helped turn the club into a truly professional team. He worked with the club's president to create a home for players. He also focused on finding talented players from around the Portuguese capital and from African countries that were then part of Portugal. During these years, Benfica won two league titles and three Portuguese Cups. They even reached the final of the Latin Cup in 1957, but lost to Alfredo di Stéfano's Real Madrid.

Coaching in France

In February 1962, Otto Glória took over as coach of Olympique Marseille in France. The team was struggling in the second division and wanted to get back to the top league. In just four months, he didn't lose a single match and helped the team achieve their goal.

Return to Benfica

Otto Glória returned to Benfica for a second time. He continued his winning streak, helping the club win two more championships and two more cups. He also led Benfica to the final of the 1967–68 European Cup in London. They played against Manchester United but unfortunately lost the match.

Leading Portugal to World Cup Glory

At the 1966 FIFA World Cup in England, Otto Glória was the coach of the Portuguese national team. With the help of Eusébio, who was the top scorer in the tournament, Portugal achieved an amazing third place. On their way to third place, Portugal even beat Glória's home country, Brazil, with a score of 3–1.

Success in Brazil and Africa

In 1979, Otto Glória coached CR Vasco da Gama in Brazil. They finished as runner-up in the Brazilian championship, losing a close final match. The next year, he led the Nigerian national team to win the 1980 African Nations Cup. They won the final in Lagos with a 3–0 victory over Algeria. He also coached Nigeria in the 1980 Olympics in Moscow. He left the Nigerian team after they didn't perform well in the 1982 tournament.

Glória coached the Portuguese national team again in 1982 for qualifying matches for UEFA Euro 1984. However, he resigned the following year after a friendly match where Portugal lost 0–4 to Brazil.

Managerial Honours

Otto Glória won many important titles during his coaching career:

Club Trophies

• Benfica
  • Primeira Liga: 1954–55, 1956–57, 1967–68, 1968–69
  • Taça de Portugal: 1954–55, 1956–57, 1968–69

• Sporting CP
  • Primeira Liga: 1961–62, 1965–66

• Belenenses
  • Taça de Portugal: 1959–60

• Portuguesa
  • Campeonato Paulista: 1973

International Achievements

• Portugal
  • FIFA World Cup: Third place 1966

• Nigeria
  • African Nations Cup: 1980