Back to the International Newsfeed

Legendary coach 'Restless Rudi' dies aged 93

Rudi Gutendorf, the tireless manager who guided a world record 55 teams, including 18 national sides, has died at 93, according to several German media outlets.

Born in Koblenz on the banks of the Rhine, the man dubbed "Restless Rudi" started his football career as a player for hometown club TuS Neuendorf before taking his first management role with Swiss side Blue Stars Zurich in the 1950s.

Coaching proved infectious, and after building an impressive CV with top flight teams in West Germany, Gutendorf criss-crossed the globe, taking up roles with Chile (1972-73), Australia (1978-79), China (1988, 1991-2) and others in a management career spanning half a century.