Otto Glória

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Lore & Background

Glória was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, but had his greatest successes with Benfica in Portugal, guiding the club to nine national trophies. With the Nigeria national team he won the 1980 African Cup of Nations. In his first period with Benfica (1954–1959), the club won two league titles and three Portuguese Cups. In his second tenure with Benfica he won two more championships and cups. He also led Benfica into the final of the 1967–68 European Cup. At the 1966 FIFA World Cup he led the Portugal national team to a historical third place, and Portugal inflicted a 1–3 defeat on Brazil. In February 1962 he took the reins of Olympique Marseille, then stuck in the second division, and in four months did not lose a single match and achieved the club's objective. In 1979 he became runner-up with CR Vasco da Gama in the Brazilian championship. He guided Nigeria through the 1980 African Nations Cup, which the team won 3–0 against Algeria. He coached Portugal in 1982 in qualifying matches for UEFA Euro 1984, but resigned after a 0–4 defeat in a friendly against Brazil the following year.

In Their Own Story

In February 1962, Glória took charge of a struggling Olympique Marseille stuck in the second division. Over four months, he did not lose a single match, securing their return to the first division. Later, his Benfica side faced Manchester United at Wembley in the 1967–68 European Cup final. The match ended in a 1–4 defeat, but Glória's tenure remained defined by consistent domestic success and transforming the club into a professional powerhouse.

Reader's Guide

Glória's managerial honours include: with Benfica, Primeira Liga titles in 1954–55, 1956–57, 1967–68, 1968–69 and Taça de Portugal in 1954–55, 1956–57, 1968–69; with Sporting CP, Primeira Liga in 1961–62 and 1965–66; with Belenenses, Taça de Portugal in 1959–60; with Portuguesa, Campeonato Paulista in 1973; with Portugal, third place in the 1966 FIFA World Cup; with Nigeria, the 1980 African Nations Cup.

Did You Know?

• Glória founded a home for Benfica players and focused on recruiting from the periphery of Lisbon and African overseas provinces.
• In his first Benfica period, the club reached the 1957 Latin Cup final, losing 1–0 to Real Madrid.
• At the 1966 World Cup, Eusébio was the tournament's top scorer under Glória's management.
• Glória's Nigeria team won the 1980 African Nations Cup in Lagos with a 3–0 victory over Algeria.