podcast

Imre Hirschl: The Hungarian Trailblazer of South American Football | Part Two

18.11.2025
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Welcome back to It Was What It Was, the football history podcast. Co-hosts Jonathan Wilson and Rob Draper continue the extraordinary story of Imre Hirschl, the Hungarian who revolutionised South American football. In this second part, we look into Hirschl's impact on Uruguay's historic 1950 World Cup victory and his innovative tactics at Club Atlético Peñarol and River Plate. Discover how Hirschl's genius and controversial methods shaped football history, transforming teams and leaving a lasting legacy on the footballing world. 


 The Tactical Mastermind Behind Uruguay's Success

 Controversial Matches and Referee Decisions

 The Dominance of the Big Five in Argentinian Football

 Hirschl's move to River Plate 

 Tactical Evolution and Direct Play

 Hircshl’s Downfall and Match-Fixing Allegations

 Return to Coaching and Success in Uruguay

 Strict Discipline and Unique Methods

 Young Players and Team Dynamics

 Campaign for National Coach

 Political Disputes and Appointments

 World Cup Preparations and Chaos

 Uruguay's Tactical Genius

 The Shocking World Cup Final

 Aftermath and Legacy

 Hirschl's Influence and Final Years


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