Artur Jorge dead at 78: Benfica and Portugal legend and European Cup winner passes away as former club pays tribute

PORTUGUESE football is mourning the death of the legendary Artur Jorge at the age of 78.

The former forward enjoyed an impressive career as a player, with the highlight being his 105 goals in 130 matches for Benfica.

AP:Associated Press

Former Portugal boss Artur Jorge has died aged 78[/caption]

However, it was as a manager that he achieved icon status and saw him voted as the European Coach of the Year in 1987 after claiming European Cup success.

And Jorge also has the unique honour of being idolised by both supporters of rival clubs Benfica and Porto.

He won the Primeira Liga title four times as a player with the former between 1969 and 1975.

He then led Porto to three domestic championships during the first of his two spells in charge there.

And he also secured them European Cup glory in 1987 after they beat Bayern Munich 2-1.

He also led Paris Saint-Germain to their second French top-flight triumph in 1994 and later managed Portugal’s national team twice and Switzerland among a host of other jobs.

A family statement released to the media said: “It is with deep sadness that the family of Artur Jorge Braga de Melo Teixeira announces his death this morning in Lisbon following a long illness.”

A heartbroken statement from Porto said: “Artur Jorge was a different man and coach than usual.

“Extremely cultured, author of a book of poetry, music lover and art collector, he simultaneously established himself as one of the most successful football coaches of the late 20th century. His death leaves FC Porto without a legend.”

Ex-PSG president Michel Denisot also paid a touching tribute.

He said: “Artur Jorge is the greatest coach I have known.

“Educated, cultured, passionate, strategic, uncompromising… with him PSG grew very quickly.”

As well as PSG, he is also fondly remembered in France’s capital city following a two-year stint with Racing Paris.

Jorge also coached the Cameroon national side but he failed to secure them qualification for the 2006 World Cup.

After spells in the MIddle East, he ended his 35-year managerial career in 2015 following a season in charge of Algerian side MC Alger.

AFP

Artur Jorge guided Porto to European Cup joy in 1987[/caption]