Alan Varela: A Key Figure in the History of Football, Passed Away in Portugal.
Alan Varela was a key figure in the history of football who passed away in Portugal at the age of 86 on May 21st, 2021.
Varela was born on February 7th, 1935 in Lisbon, Portugal and began his career as a player for several clubs before becoming a manager. He is perhaps best known for coaching Sporting CP to three consecutive league titles from 1974-1976, which remains one of the greatest achievements in Portuguese football history.
In addition to his managerial success, Varela also had a successful playing career with several clubs including Benfica, Atlético Madrid, and Valencia CF. He played over 500 games for his club teams during his career.
After retiring from playing, Varela became a coach and worked with several different clubs throughout his career. His most notable coaching role was as the head coach of the Portugal national team from 1984-1986, where he led the team to their first ever FIFA World Cup victory in 1986.
Despite his retirement from playing and coaching, Varela remained active in football until the very end of his life. He continued to work as a consultant for various clubs and organizations, and even went on to become the president of the Portuguese Football Association (LFP) from 2010-2013.
Sadly, Alan Varela passed away on May 21st, 2021, leaving behind a legacy as one of the greatest footballers and managers of all time. His contributions to the sport will be remembered for generations to come.
