Rafael Garza Gutiérrez

Rafael Garza Gutiérrez, nicknamed "Récord" (born December 13, 1896), was a Mexican football player and coach. He, along with other members of the Garza family, are recognized as the founders of Club América. He was a defender for that club as well as the Mexican national team. Upon retiring, he took the reigns of his beloved club, served as an executive and later became the national team manager on four separate occasions.

Club América

On October 12, 1916, a group of young men which included Garza Gutiérrez founded Club América, naming it in honor of the event that is celebrated on the particular date of the club's foundation. The club came to be when two existing clubs, Garza's "Récord" (which would later become his personal nickname) and Germán Nuñez's "Unión" joined forces on the aforementioned date.

Upon joining Mexico City's Major League (Liga Mayor) the following year, Garza led América to four consecutive championships; first as a player, and later as a player/coach during the 1920s. The last of these titles, in 1928, would be the last league trophy that América would win until the 1960s.

Mexican national team

It was Garza's success at the helm of his club that brought him to the eye of people looking to create a national football team that would represent Mexico in international competitions. When the organization that would oversee this team, the FEMEXFUT, was created in 1927, Garza was elected to be the team's first head coach, although he had already been coaching the team informally since 1923. He continued at his post until 1928. He played as a defender at the first FIFA World Cup held in Uruguay in 1930. After his retirement as a player, he coached the national team three more times: in 1934-35, 1937 and 1949.

External links

* [http://mundial2002.terra.com.sv/bases/futbol/stat/esp/bio/4/4356.html Stats as a player]
* [http://www.tvazteca.com.mx/deportes/futbolmexicano/seleccion_mex/tecnicos.shtml Chronologic list of Mexican National Team coaches]