Uruguayan football coach (1900–1971)
Ricardo Diéz, born asEmetério Seledônio Díez[1] (11 February 1900 – 27 April 1971), was a Uruguayanfootball coach who mainly worked in Brazil.
In 1937 Diéz won with provincialGrêmio Foot-Ball Santanense fromSantana do Livramento theCampeonato Gaúcho, the only major title in the club's history. In 1942 he also ledInternacional, where he was the first foreign coach, to the state title. He is credited at the club for the discovery of the later national team playerNena. In 1941 he wasCampeonato Pernambucano runner-up withSport Recife, where he has been often attributed with the discovery of World Cup 1950 star strikerAdemir de Menezes.[2]
Diez, who smoked filterless cigarettes of theContinental brand,[3] is best known for his times withAtlético Mineiro, which he coached on various stints between 1950 and 1960, winning theCampeonato Mineiro in 1949 and 1954. In 1950 he guided Atlético on its successfultrip to Central Europe during the northern winter, which became part of the club's folklore and led to its nicknameCampeões do Gelo, the "Ice Champions". In total he guided the club in 168 matches, a statistic only outdone by three other coaches, amongst themTelê Santana.
Back to Pernambuco, he became third in the State Championship of 1957 withNáutico, and in 1960 he ledSanta Cruz FC to the second place behind Náutico.
Beyond this Diéz also coached other clubs from Minas Gerais:América Mineiro, in 1946,Cruzeiro in 1953,Democrata FC (Sete Lagoas, in 1965,EC Siderúrgica, in 1947,Valeriodoce in 1962 and 1963, andParaense EC, as well asSantos in São Paulo andBahia in the state of the same name.
Grêmio Santanense
Internacional
Atlético Mineiro
