Amancio (footballer)

File:Training Real Madrid in Amsterdam, Amancio, Bestanddeelnr 926-3299.jpg

Amancio in 1973

Amancio Amaro Varela (16 October 1939 – 21 February 2023), commonly known simply as Amancio, was a Spanish football player. Nicknamed El Brujo (The Wizard) he played outside right for Deportivo de La Coruña, Real Madrid, and the Spain national team.

Club career

Early career

Amancio began his career aged 15 at local side Victoria, in the district of Falperra–Santa Lucía. In the 1958–59 season, he joined Deportivo de La Coruña, which at that time was in the Spanish second division. When Deportivo were promoted to first division, Amancio started to attract the attention of the scouts for major teams, such as Real Madrid.

Real Madrid

File:Ajman 1968-09-15 stamp - Amancio Amaro.jpg

Amancio depicted on a 1968 Ajman stamp

The signing of Amancio by Real Madrid almost did not happen; had it not been for Santiago Bernabéu’s insistence in signing the player, his astronomical signing-fee would have spoiled the negotiations.

Along with the signing of Amancio by Real Madrid in June 1962, players such as Ignacio Zoco, Lucien Muller and Yanko Daucik also arrived. During this time the team was in a transitional phase, since in earlier years the team had swept the competition both in Spain and outside its borders. Amancio made his debut in European competition opposite Anderlecht (3–3 result in the Santiago Bernabéu); and in the league against Real Betis in Seville with a 5–2 win for Real Madrid.

During the 1963–64 season, Amancio and Real Madrid reached the final of the European Cup, only to be beaten by Inter Milan by 3–1. The following season brought more heartache, with Benfica eliminating the youthful Madrid side in the quarterfinals. The ensuing season brought success for Madrid, as Miguel Muñoz added young players such as Pirri, Velázquez, Sanchís and Grosso. This was known as the "Yé-Yé" team. Strong at the back, and devastating going forward, Madrid fought their way to another final, this time against Partizan. The venue was Heysel Stadium in Brussels, and on 11 May 1966, Amancio stepped out on to the pitch for his second and last European Cup final. Partizan's Velibor Vasović scored the first goal of the match. Amancio drew level twenty minutes from the end, after collecting a signature pass, faking out a defender and skillfully booting the ball past the Yugoslav keeper Milutin Šoškić. Five minutes later, a thunderous shot by teammate Serena from 30 metres out settled the game. It was Amancio's first and only European Cup winner's medal. In his first six seasons in Madrid, he won a six La Liga titles. He would then go on to win another three. He also took the title of Pichichi on back to back occasions, 1969 and 1970.

As a Real Madrid player, Amancio's reputation reached such international fame, that he had the honour of being called for a world team, promoted by FIFA.

Amancio retired in 1976 and joined the coaching staff of Real Madrid. After the death of Francisco "Paco" Gento, he was appointed the honorary president of the club in 2022.

International career

Amancio wore the Spain national team's jersey on 42 occasions, debuting before Romania. With the team, he was a participant of one of its greatest achievements: winning the 1964 European Football Championship by a 2–1 score against the defending champions, the Soviet Union.

Managerial career

Upon retiring, Amancio began coaching the junior teams of Real Madrid. After one season, he decided to dedicate himself to his businesses. In 1982, he was readmitted by Luis de Carlos, who had just won the club's presidential elections.

Amancio once again took charge of Castilla, with which he won the Segunda División in his second season. The team included the legendary Quinta del Buitre, made up of Butragueño, Míchel, Sanchis, Martín Vázquez and Pardeza.

In the 1984–85 season, Amancio took charge of the first team. However, the outcome was not as good as expected, and he left his post. After a time as a consultant, Amancio left Real Madrid to join the sports company Kelme, becoming a representative responsible for the Madrid area.

In July 2000, Amancio was elected as a member of the board of directors of Real Madrid. From this position, he favored the incorporation of former Real players in different positions of responsibility of the club. The board of directors agreed that Amancio would be in charge of the 100th anniversary of Real Madrid.

In 2022, he was appointed to the position of the honorary president of the club.

Death

Amancio died in Madrid on 21 February 2023, at the age of 83.

Career statistics

Club

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			Copa del Generalísimo		EuropeTemplate:Efn		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Deportivo de La Coruña	1958–59	Segunda División	11	3	6	4	—		—		17	7
	1959–60		26	10	4	5	—		—		30	15
	1960–61		29	16	4	4	—		—		33	20
	1961–62		26	25	2	2	—		—		28	27
	Total		92	54	16	15	—		—		108	69
Real Madrid	1962–63	La Liga	28	14	8	1	2	0	—		38	15
	1963–64		24	6	3	1	8	3	—		35	10
	1964–65		22	9	0	0	5	6	—		27	15
	1965–66		25	8	2	0	7	5	—		34	13
	1966–67		25	7	5	0	4	0	2Template:Efn	0	36	7
	1967–68		28	10	8	4	7	4	—		43	18
	1968–69		29	14	1	0	2	1	—		32	15
	1969–70		29	16	9	6	3	1	—		41	23
	1970–71		19	6	2	0	9Template:Efn	0	—		30	6
	1971–72		28	6	6	0	3Template:Efn	1	—		37	7
	1972–73		25	8	2	0	7	1	—		34	9
	1973–74		26	8	3	0	1Template:Efn	0	—		30	8
	1974–75		17	3	7	1	2Template:Efn	0	—		26	4
	1975–76		19	4	2	0	7	0	—		28	4
	Total		344	119	58	13	67	22	2	0	471	154
Career total			436	173	74	28	67	22	2	0	579	223

International

Appearances and goals by national team and year

National team	Year	Apps	Goals
Spain	1962	1	0
	1963	3	1
	1964	4	3
	1966	3	1
	1967	4	0
	1968	6	3
	1969	5	2
	1970	4	0
	1971	6	0
	1972	3	1
	1973	2	0
	1974	1	0
Total		42	11

Scores and results list Spain's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Amancio goal.

List of international goals scored by Amancio

No.	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1	30 May 1963	San Mamés, Bilbao, Spain	{{ Template:Yesno	alias = Northern Ireland	flag alias = Ulster Banner.svg	flag alias-assembly = Flag of Northern Ireland Assembly.svg	flag alias-saltire = St Patrick's saltire.svg	flag alias-union = Flag of the United Kingdom.svg	size =	name =	altlink = national football team	variant = }} || style="text-align:center"|1–0 || style="text-align:center"|1–1 || 1964 European Nations' Cup qualifying
2	11 March 1964	Sánchez Pizjuán, Seville, Spain	{{safesubst: Template:Yesno	alias = Republic of Ireland	shortname alias = Ireland	flag alias = Flag of Ireland.svg	link alias-naval = Irish Naval Service	flag alias-air force = Flag of the Irish Air Corps.svg	link alias-air force = Irish Air Corps	flag alias-army = Flag of the Irish Defence Forces.svg	link alias-army = Irish Army	link alias-navy = Irish Naval Service	link alias-football = Republic of Ireland national football team	name alias-football = Republic of Ireland	link alias-futsal = Republic of Ireland national football team	name alias-futsal = Republic of Ireland	link alias-beachsoccer = Republic of Ireland national football team	name alias-beachsoccer = Republic of Ireland	flag alias-rugby union = Flag placeholder.svg	border-rugby union =	flag alias-cricket = Flag placeholder.svg	border-cricket =	link alias-netball = Republic of Ireland national netball team	name alias-netball = Republic of Ireland	size =	name =	altlink = national football team	altvar = football	variant = }} || style="text-align:center"|1–0 || rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"|5–1 || rowspan="2"|1964 European Nations' Cup qualifying
3				3–1
4	17 June 1964	Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid, Spain	{{ Template:Yesno	alias = Hungary	flag alias = Flag of Hungary.svg	flag alias-1848 = Flag of Hungary (1848-1849, 1867-1869).svg	flag alias-1849 = Flag of the Habsburg Monarchy.svg	flag alias-1867 = Flag of Hungary (1848-1849, 1867-1869).svg	flag alias-1869 = Flag of Hungary (1869-1874).svg	flag alias-1874 = Flag of Hungary (1874-1896).svg	flag alias-1896 = Flag of Hungary (1896-1915; angels).svg	flag alias-1915 = Flag of Hungary (1915-1918; angels).svg	flag alias-1918 = Flag of Hungary (1918-1919).svg	flag alias-1919 = Flag of Hungary (1919).svg	flag alias-1920 = Flag of Hungary (1915-1918, 1919-1946).svg	flag alias-1946 = Flag of Hungary (1946-1949, 1956-1957; 1-2 aspect ratio).svg	flag alias-1949 = Flag of Hungary (1949-1956; 1-2 aspect ratio).svg	flag alias-1956 = Flag of Hungary (1946-1949, 1956-1957; 1-2 aspect ratio).svg	flag alias-1957 = Flag of Hungary.svg	flag alias-state = Flag of Hungary with arms (state).svg	flag alias-civil = Civil Ensign of Hungary.svg	flag alias-naval = Naval Ensign of Hungary.svg	Hungarian River Guard	flag alias-military = Flag of the Hungarian Defence Forces.svg	link alias-military = Hungarian Defence Forces	flag alias-army = War Flag of Hungary.svg	link alias-army = Hungarian Ground Forces	link alias-air force = Hungarian Air Force	flag alias-navy = Naval Ensign of Hungary.svg	Hungarian River Guard	size =	name =	altlink = national football team	variant = }} || style="text-align:center"|2–1 || style="text-align:center"|2–1 || 1964 European Nations' Cup
5	15 July 1966	Hillsborough, Sheffield, England	Template:Country data SWI	2–1	2–1	1966 FIFA World Cup
6	28 February 1968	Sánchez Pizjuán, Seville, Spain	{{ Template:Yesno	alias = Sweden	flag alias = Flag of Sweden.svg	flag alias-army = Naval Ensign of Sweden.svg	flag alias-air force =Naval Ensign of Sweden.svg	flag alias-1818 = Swedish and Norwegian merchant flag 1818-1844.svg	flag alias-1844 = Swedish civil ensign (1844–1905).svg	flag alias-1905 = Flag of Sweden (pre-1906).svg	flag alias-naval = Naval Ensign of Sweden.svg	flag alias-naval-1844 = Naval Ensign of Sweden (1844-1905).svg	flag alias-naval-1815 = Ensign of Sweden and Norway (1815–1844).svg	link alias-army = Swedish Army	link alias-air force = Swedish Air Force	link alias-naval = Swedish Navy	flag alias-navy = Naval Ensign of Sweden.svg	link alias-navy = Swedish Navy	link alias-football = Sweden men's national football team	border-army =	border-air force =	border-naval =	border-navy =	border-naval-1815 =	border-naval-1844 =	size =	name =	altlink = national football team	altvar = football	variant = }} || style="text-align:center"|1–0 || rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"|2–0 || rowspan="2"|Friendly
7				2–0
8	8 May 1968	Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid, Spain	{{ Template:Yesno	alias = England	flag alias = Flag of England.svg	flag alias-naval = English White Ensign 1620.svg	link alias-naval = Royal Navy	flag alias-navy = English White Ensign 1620.svg	link alias-navy = Royal Navy	link alias-cricket = England cricket team	empty = England Saxons	size =	name =	variant =	altlink = national football team	altvar = football }} || style="text-align:center"|1–0 || style="text-align:center"|1–2 || UEFA Euro 1968 qualifying
9	30 April 1969	Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain	{{ Template:Yesno	alias = Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia	shortname alias = Yugoslavia	flag alias = Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg	flag alias-shs = Flag of the State of Slovenes, Croats and Serbs.svg	flag alias-army = Yugoslavia Infantry flag.svg	flag alias-naval = Naval Ensign of Yugoslavia (1949–1993).svg	flag alias-navy = Naval Ensign of Yugoslavia (1949–1993).svg	link alias-military = Yugoslav People's Army	link alias-army = Yugoslav Ground Forces	link alias-naval = Yugoslav Navy	link alias-air force = Yugoslav Air Force	link alias-navy = Yugoslav Navy	size =	name =	altlink = national football team	variant = 1970 }} || style="text-align:center"|2–0 || style="text-align:center"|2–2 || 1970 FIFA World Cup qualification
10	15 October 1969	José Antonio, La Línea, Spain	{{ Template:Yesno	alias = Finland	flag alias = Flag of Finland.svg	flag alias-grand duchy = Flag of Russia.svg	flag alias-1809 = Flag of Russia.svg	flag alias-1917 = Flag of Finland 1918 (state).svg	flag alias-1918 = Flag of Finland (1918-1920).svg	flag alias-1920 = Flag of Finland.svg	flag alias-state = Flag of Finland (state).svg	flag alias-state-1918 = Flag of Finland 1918-1920 (State).svg	flag alias-state-1920 = Flag of Finland 1920-1978 (State).svg	flag alias-naval = Military Flag of Finland.svg	border-naval =	flag alias-naval-1918 = Flag of Finland 1918-1920 (Military).svg	border-naval-1918 =	flag alias-naval-1920 = Flag of Finland 1920-1978 (Military).svg	border-naval-1920 =	link alias-naval = Finnish Navy	flag alias-navy = Naval Jack of Finland.svg	link alias-navy = Finnish Navy	link alias-air force = Finnish Air Force	flag alias-military = Military flag of Finland.svg	link alias-military = Finnish Defence Forces	flag alias-army = Military flag of Finland.svg	link alias-army = Finnish Army	size =	name =	altlink = national football team	variant = }} || style="text-align:center"|5–0 || style="text-align:center"|6–0 || 1970 World Cup qualification
11	19 October 1972	Insular, Las Palmas, Spain	{{ Template:Yesno	alias = Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia	shortname alias = Yugoslavia	flag alias = Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg	flag alias-shs = Flag of the State of Slovenes, Croats and Serbs.svg	flag alias-army = Yugoslavia Infantry flag.svg	flag alias-naval = Naval Ensign of Yugoslavia (1949–1993).svg	flag alias-navy = Naval Ensign of Yugoslavia (1949–1993).svg	link alias-military = Yugoslav People's Army	link alias-army = Yugoslav Ground Forces	link alias-naval = Yugoslav Navy	link alias-air force = Yugoslav Air Force	link alias-navy = Yugoslav Navy	size =	name =	altlink = national football team	variant = }} || style="text-align:center"|1–0 || style="text-align:center"|2–2 || 1974 FIFA World Cup qualification

Honours

Player

Deportivo

• Segunda División: 1961–62

Real Madrid

• La Liga: 1962–63, 1963–64, 1964–65, 1966–67, 1967–68, 1968–69, 1971–72, 1974–75, 1975–76
• Copa del Generalísimo: 1969–70, 1973–74, 1974–75
• European Cup: 1965–66

Spain

• UEFA European Football Championship: 1964

Individual

• Pichichi: 1968–69, 1969–70
• Pichichi Second Division: 1961–62
• Ballon d'Or third place: 1964
• UEFA European Championship Team of the Tournament: 1964
• FUWO European Team of the Year: 1965
• FIFA XI: 1968

Manager

Castilla

• Segunda División: 1983–84

External links

• Template:BDFutbol
• Template:BDFutbol manager
• National team data Template:In lang
• Template:PAGENAMEBASE at National-Football-Teams.com
• Real Madrid archives Template:In lang
• International appearances at RSSSF
• Template:PAGENAMEBASE – FIFA competition record (archived)Template:EditAtWikidataTemplate:WikidataCheck