Guillermo Stábile
Guillermo Stábile was born in Parque Patricios, Buenos Aires on the 17th of January 1905. He began his career with local club Sportivo Metán before joining Huracán in 1920. The team played in Argentina's top league which held amateur status at that time. He started out on the right wing but soon evolved into a centre forward. Stábile won many competitions with Huracán including championships in 1925 and 1928. He also secured the regional trophy Copa Dr. Carlos Ibarguren in 1925.
After capturing the world's attention with his impressive feats in the First World Cup he was signed by Genoa. He instantly became a fan favourite scoring a hat-trick on his debut against rivals Bologna. He stayed with the Genoan club for five years playing 41 games and scoring 16 goals. During the 1935, 36 season he moved to Napoli with Antonio Vojak transferring the other way to Genoa. This was during the era when Attila Sallustro another South American legend played for Napoli. The club finished 8th in the league with Stábile who played in twenty games. As a last act of his playing career Stábile moved to Red Star Paris in Paris. He stayed with the club until 1939 helping them achieve promotion from Division 2 back into Division 1.
Stábile made his debut for the Argentina national team at the age of 25 in his team's second match in the first ever FIFA World Cup held in 1930 in Uruguay. He did not play in Argentina's first match of the competition against France. His debut came in the following game against Mexico because the first choice striker Roberto Cherro couldn't play due to an anxiety attack. The game finished 6, 3 to Argentina with Stábile scoring a hat-trick on his debut. The final game of the group stages saw Argentina facing South American rivals Chile. They won the game 3, 1 with Stábile scoring twice meaning that Argentina had qualified for the semi-finals. On the 30th of July 1930 the first ever World Cup final took place between Argentina and Uruguay. At half time Argentina led 2, 1 with Stábile having scored the second goal. Despite losing the final he became the top scorer in the first ever FIFA World Cup with his tally of 8 goals in 4 games.
Stábile had received his first taste of managing way back in the 1931, 32 season at Genoa long before he retired from playing. Here he spent the aforementioned season as a co-manager alongside Luigi Burlando. After a year at Red Star Paris he became player-manager for the club. This included the season in which they were promoted from Ligue 2. He left the French club to coach the Argentina national team beginning his spell in 1939. While managing the national side he also had spells coaching three other clubs including Huracán and later Ferro and Racing Club. He led Racing to three consecutive championships between 1949 and 1951.
Stábile coached Argentina to six South American Championship trophies in 1941, 1945, 1946, 1947, 1955 and 1957. After the first round exit at the 1958 World Cup where Argentina lost the last of its three matches with 1, 6 to Czechoslovakia his time with the national side came to a halt. He was called back to the helm of Argentina in 1960 leading them in the third and last edition of the Panamerican Football Championship in Costa Rica. With the Argentina national side as a coach Stábile set records by coaching the national team in 123 official matches gaining 83 victories. He made him one of the few coaches with more than 100 international matches in charge.
Stábile retired from management in 1960 to take up the role of director of the Argentina national school of football managing. He held this post until his death on the 26th of December 1966. His legacy includes winning two national championships with Huracán and playing in Italy and France. He was the top scorer of the 1930 FIFA World Cup the inaugural iteration of the tournament. As manager he led Argentina to victory at six South American Championships and Racing Club to three league titles. Individual honours included the FIFA World Cup Golden Boot and All-Star Team in 1930.
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Common questions
When and where was Guillermo Stábile born?
Guillermo Stábile was born in Parque Patricios, Buenos Aires on the 17th of January 1905. He began his career with local club Sportivo Metán before joining Huracán in 1920.
How many goals did Guillermo Stábile score in the 1930 FIFA World Cup?
Guillermo Stábile scored 8 goals in 4 games to become the top scorer in the first ever FIFA World Cup. He achieved this tally despite Argentina losing the final match against Uruguay on the 30th of July 1930.
Which clubs did Guillermo Stábile play for during his professional career?
Guillermo Stábile played for Sportivo Metán, Huracán, Genoa, Napoli, and Red Star Paris. He stayed with Genoa for five years and later helped Red Star Paris achieve promotion from Division 2 back into Division 1 by 1939.
What records did Guillermo Stábile set as a manager of the Argentina national team?
Guillermo Stábile coached the national team in 123 official matches gaining 83 victories. He led Argentina to six South American Championship trophies between 1941 and 1957.
When did Guillermo Stábile die and what role did he hold before his death?
Guillermo Stábile died on the 26th of December 1966 after serving as director of the Argentina national school of football managing since 1960. He retired from management in 1960 to take up this administrative post.