 Trelles in 1961 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Ignacio Trelles Campos | ||
| Date of birth | (1916-07-31)31 July 1916 | ||
| Place of birth | Guadalajara, Mexico | ||
| Date of death | 24 March 2020(2020-03-24) (aged 103) | ||
| Place of death | Mexico City, Mexico | ||
| Position | Midfielder[1] | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1932–1943 | Necaxa | ||
| 1943–1945 | América | ||
| 1946–? | Monterrey | ||
| 1948 | Chicago Vikings | ||
| 1948 | Atlante | ||
| Managerial career | |||
| 1950–1951 | Zacatepec | ||
| 1953–1954 | Club Deportivo Marte | ||
| 1954–1958 | Zacatepec | ||
| 1957 | Mexico (assistant) | ||
| 1958–1960 | América | ||
| 1960–1969 | Mexico | ||
| 1966–1972 | Toluca | ||
| 1972–1975 | Puebla | ||
| 1975 | Mexico | ||
| 1976–1982 | Cruz Azul | ||
| 1983–1985 | Atlante | ||
| 1986–1989 | UDG | ||
| 1990–1991 | Puebla | ||
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Ignacio Trelles Campos (31 July 1916 – 24 March 2020) was a Mexicanfootball player andmanager.
Trelles was one of the dominant figures in Mexican football in the 20th century. Over a managerial career that spanned more than four decades, he coached nine clubs in thePrimera División and won seven league titles, including back-to-back championships withToluca andCruz Azul. Trelles also served as manager of theMexico national team at the1962 FIFA World Cup, where the side achieved its first victory in the competition, and again at the1966 FIFA World Cup.[2]
AlongsideRicardo Ferretti, he is the manager with the most league titles in Mexican football. He managed 1,083 matches inPrimera Division, the second-highest total of any coach in the league's history. He also holds the record for the most matches managed as coach of the national team.[3][4]
Trelles was born in Guadalajara. As a child, he was very athletic, engaging in many different sports. In his teenage years, Trelles's family relocated toSan Miguel Chapultepec where he regularly played football in the streets.[1]
In 1934, Trelles made his debut in Mexico’sLiga Mayor withNecaxa. WithLos Rayos, he enjoyed a golden era, winning three league titles in the 1934–35, 1936–37, and 1937–38 seasons, as well as lifting theCopa México in 1934–35.
After his brilliant spell with Necaxa, Trelles joinedClub América in 1943. Later, he was transferred toMonterrey. A true pioneer, he became one of the first Mexican footballers to try his luck in the United States. At that time, Major League Soccer did not yet exist, but small regional competitions were beginning to emerge, such as theNational Soccer League in Chicago. In 1948, Trelles played for the Chicago Vikings.
His career, however, was cut short that same year due to a severe tibia and fibula injury. He retired from professional football wearing the jersey ofAtlante in 1948.[5]
In 1950,Zacatepec gave Trelles his first big break. With theCañeros, he began a remarkable journey, leading the team to a championship in 1951 and securing their long-awaited promotion to Mexico’s top division.
His talent quickly drew attention. In the 1953–54 season, Trelles captured his firstPrimera División title withMarte. Though his stint withCuautla that same year was modest, his return to Zacatepec cemented his reputation as a top-tier strategist, adding two more titles in the 1954–55 and 1957–58 campaigns.
This string of successes propelled him into the coaching staff of the Mexican national team as assistant toAntonio López Herranz, participating in the 1958 World Cup in Sweden. Soon after, Trelles took the reins ofEl Tri and left an indelible mark: in Chile 1962, Mexico celebrated its first-ever World Cup victory with a 3–1 triumph overCzechoslovakia. He also led the squad during the 1966 tournament in England.[6]
At the same time, Trelles managedClub América, guiding them to two runner-up finishes in the 1961–62 and 1963–64 seasons. In 1966, he took charge ofToluca and added two more championship to his growing legacy.
His longest and most fruitful tenure came withCruz Azul, where he spent seven years and won consecutive titles in 1978–79 and 1979–80, bringing his individual total to sevenPrimera División titles.
He managedAtlante andLeones Negros before bringing his legendary managerial career to a close withPuebla in 1991.[7][8]
Trellesturned 100 in July 2016.[9] He died of a heart attack on 24 March 2020 at the age of 103, inMexico City.[10][11]
Necaxa
Marte
Zacatepec
Toluca
Cruz Azul
Atlante
Mexico
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