Hugo Meisl
Hugo Meisl (*16 November 1881 (Maleschau, Bohemia) - †17 February 1937) was a football player, coach, referee and football official. He was coach of the so called Wunderteam.
Biography [change]
Meisl was born in the Bohemian part of the Austrian-Hungary Empire from a Jewish family. At the age of 12 he came to Vienna and developed an interest for the new football sport in Austria. He became member of the Vienna Cricket and Football-Club in 1895 but did not play regularly, because he was often abroad for schooling reasons. He became a bank clerk in 1905 and started his career as football official.
He found employment as an administrator with the Austrian Football Association when he was in his early 40s, rising to the position of General Secretary.[1] As referee he led 16 international matches under them matches at the 1912 Stockholm Olympic games. Due to his command of eight languages he became Austrias representative for the FIFA.
As coach he was the one with the longest career as team coach for Austria. He was in charge at 133 games. He was one of the most successful coaches of Austrias tem. He was the coach of the so called Wunderteam (Wonderteam) which was the best one in Europe between 1931 and 1933. In 15 matches Austria won 12 times.
As official he was responsible for introducing professionalism in football. He also took active part in establishing the Mitropapokal, a forerunner of today's Champion League. He died at the age of 55 on heartstroke.
To honour him a small street in Austrias capital Vienna is named after him.
