Carlos Bianchi
El Virrey: A goal-scoring legend and the most successful coach in Copa Libertadores history.
Carlos Bianchi (born 26 April 1949), nicknamed El Virrey (The Viceroy), is an Argentine former football player and manager. A prolific goalscorer, although he had a bright career as a forward in Argentina and France, Bianchi is best known as one of the most successful coaches of all time managing Vélez Sarsfield and Boca Juniors to a great number of titles each. Bianchi is the only coach to win four Copa Libertadores. He is also the only coach to secure three Intercontinental Cups, and shares with Josep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti a joint record of three club world championship titles. He most recently served as manager of Boca Juniors. Boca Juniors and Vélez Sársfield made him a statue.
- Role
- Striker
- Nationality
- Argentine
- Club Era
- 1977–1980
- Total Goals for PSG
- 64 (37 in 1977-78, 27 in 1978-79)
- League Titles Won with PSG
- 0
- Status
- Retired
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Born in Buenos Aires, Bianchi was raised in a middle-class family. In 1972, he married Margaret Mary Pilla, and they had two children: Mauro Carlos and Brenda. Now has four grandchildren: Paul, Carlos and Louis (who are sons of Mauro) and Mateo (son of Brenda and Huracán defender Eduardo Dominguez). His father worked in a sales position in which Carlos regularly helped until he made his debut as a player in first-division football for Vélez Sarsfield, the club which he was a fan of. During his tenure as coach of Vélez Sarsfield he was known as the 'Virrey' (viceroy, in Spanish), named by sports writer Victor Hugo Morales. The reason is based on footballing and historical grounds, as Bianchi obtained several titles as a player and coach with Vélez Sarsfield. The club is located in the neighbourhood of Liniers alluding to the Virrey Liniers, who was in command of the Viceroyalty of the Río de la Plata by early 1800.
In Their Own Story
The atmosphere at Parc des Princes during Bianchi's tenure was a mix of admiration for the striker and frustration with the team's mediocrity. Despite his record-breaking goal counts, PSG could not translate individual brilliance into league success. In his first season alone, he netted an incredible 37 times in 38 matches, yet the club finished eleventh. The following season saw him top the scoring charts again with 27 goals, but the team's performance remained poor, slipping to thirteenth place. Bianchi eventually chose to leave for a more competitive environment, playing for Strasbourg in the 1979–80 season where he scored only eight goals before returning to Argentina. His time at PSG was defined by this stark contrast: a world-class scorer carrying a modest team that failed to challenge for titles, leaving behind a legacy of unmatched personal achievement amidst collective struggle.
Reader's Guide
Bianchi joined Paris Saint-Germain in 1977. In his first season with the Parisian club, Bianchi scored 37 goals in 38 matches, being also named best player of the season. The next season, 1978–79, Bianchi was the top scorer again with 27 goals. In the 1979–80 season, he played for Strasbourg, without success, scoring only eight goals. His total league goals for PSG are 64 (37 + 27), not 72, because the source does not state that he scored any goals for PSG in the 1979–80 season; he played for Strasbourg that season.
Did You Know?
- Bianchi scored six goals in a 6–1 win over Paris Saint-Germain while playing for Reims.
- He is the top scorer in the history of Vélez Sarsfield with 206 goals.
- Bianchi is the 8th top scorer in the history of first-division football.
- He earned 14 caps for Argentina, scoring 7 goals, from 1970 to 1972.
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