Franz Platko
Encyclopedia
Ferenc Plattkó also known Franz Platko Kopiletz, Francisco Platko (born Budapest
, Hungary, 2 December 1898, died Santiago, Chile
, 1 September 1983), also known as Ferenc Platko or Francisco Platko, was a Hungarian footballer and manager. During the 1910s and 1920s he played as a goalkeeper for Vasas SC
, WAC Vienna, KAFK Kula, MTK Hungária FC
, FC Barcelona
, Recreativo de Huelva
and Hungary
. He subsequently worked as a coach in Europe and South America, most notably with FC Barcelona
, Colo-Colo
, River Plate
, Boca Juniors
and Chile
. Platko was an early FC Barcelona
legend and was a team-mate of Paulino Alcántara
, Josep Samitier
and Sagibarba
. His bravery as a goalkeeper was immortalized by Rafael Alberti
in the poem Oda A Platko. After retiring as a player he returned to the club as a coach on two occasions (1934–35, 1955–56).
with local club Vasas SC
in 1917 . After a brief spell at WAC Vienna in 1920, he returned to Vasas for another season before joining MTK Hungária FC
the following season. Between 1917 and 1923, Platko also played six games for Hungary
. In 1921/1922 season he played for KAFK Kula from Kula (Serbia). In 1922 MTK played two friendlies against FC Barcelona
. Both games finished as 0-0 draws and FC Barcelona
, impressed with Platko offered him a contract.
, but soon established himself as a legend in his own right. He spent seven years at FC Barcelona
between 1923 and 1930. During that time he won six Campionat de Catalunya titles, three Copa del Rey
and the first ever La Liga
title. The poem Oda A Platko came about following the Copa del Rey
final in 1928. FC Barcelona
took three games to beat Real Sociedad
and during the first encounter on May 20, Rafael Alberti
was so impressed with the bravery of Platko that he later wrote the poem in his honour. Platko finished his playing career at Recreativo de Huelva
and retired as a player in 1931. He soon began his career as a coach, working in France with FC Mulhouse
(1932–33) and Racing Club de Roubaix (1933–34), before returning to FC Barcelona
as a coach for the 1934/35 season. Despite guiding the club to another Championat de Catalunya, the following season he was replaced by Patrick O'Connell. After two decades away from the club Platko was reappointed coach of CF Barcelona
for the 1955/56 season. During this season the club, inspired by Ladislao Kubala
and Luis Suárez
, won 10 consecutive La Liga
games in a row. The record remained unbeaten until 2005. Despite this run CF Barcelona
only managed to finish second in La Liga
behind Atlético Bilbao
and Platko was replaced the following season.
established himself as a coach in South America. In 1939, during the first of three spells at Colo-Colo
he guided the club to the Chilean Championionship
. In 1940 he had a spell in charge of River Plate
in Argentina
before he returned to Chile
and Colo-Colo in 1941, winning a second Chilean Championship
. In 1941 he took charge of Chile
and continued as national team manager until 1945, coaching the team at both the South American Championship
in both 1942
and 1945
. During 1942 he also coached two other Chilean clubs, Club Magallanes and Santiago Wanderers
. In 1949 he coached Boca Juniors
and in 1953 he returned to Colo-Colo for a third time and won a third Chilean Championionship
.
and Carlos Platko
who followed him to Spain and subsequently established themselves as coaches. Esteban coached, among others Real Valladolid
(1928–31, 1934–40), Granada CF
(1943–45) and RCD Mallorca
while Carlos coached Real Valladolid
(1941–43), Celta de Vigo
(1944–46), Girona FC
(1948–49) and Sporting de Gijón
.
FC Barcelona
Manager
FC Barcelona
Colo-Colo
No, nobody, nobody, nobody,
blond bear of Hungary.
Nor the sea,
That in front of you jumped without being able to defend himself.
Nor rain. Nor the wind, that were the one that roared the most.
Nor the sea, nor the wind, Platko,
blond Platko of blood,
guardameta in the dust lightning rod.
Not nobody, nobody, nobody.
blue and white T-shirts, on the air,
real t-shirts,
opposite, against you, flying and dragging you.
Platko, distant Platko,
blond broken Platko,
tiger burning in the grass of another country.
You, key, Platko, you, broken key,
golden key fallen in front of the golden porch
Budapest
Budapest is the capital of Hungary. As the largest city of Hungary, it is the country's principal political, cultural, commercial, industrial, and transportation centre. In 2011, Budapest had 1,733,685 inhabitants, down from its 1989 peak of 2,113,645 due to suburbanization. The Budapest Commuter...
, Hungary, 2 December 1898, died Santiago, Chile
Santiago, Chile
Santiago , also known as Santiago de Chile, is the capital and largest city of Chile, and the center of its largest conurbation . It is located in the country's central valley, at an elevation of above mean sea level...
, 1 September 1983), also known as Ferenc Platko or Francisco Platko, was a Hungarian footballer and manager. During the 1910s and 1920s he played as a goalkeeper for Vasas SC
Vasas SC
Vasas SC is one of Hungary's major sports clubs. Most of its facilities are situated in Budapest's 13th district in the north of the town. Members of the Hungarian Union of Iron Workers founded the club as Vas-és Fémmunkások Sport Clubja, the "Sport Club of Iron and Steel Workers", on 16 March 1911...
, WAC Vienna, KAFK Kula, MTK Hungária FC
MTK Hungária FC
MTK Budapest FC or just MTK is a football club from Budapest, Hungary. The team plays in the second division of the Hungarian League. The club's colours are blue and white. As one of the most successful Hungarian football clubs, MTK has won the Hungarian League 23 times and the Hungarian Cup 12...
, FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona
Futbol Club Barcelona , also known as Barcelona and familiarly as Barça, is a professional football club, based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain....
, Recreativo de Huelva
Recreativo de Huelva
Real Club Recreativo de Huelva, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Huelva, in the autonomous community of Andalusia. Founded on 23 December 1889, it is the oldest football team in Spain, and currently plays in the second division, holding home games at Estadio Nuevo Colombino, which has a...
and Hungary
Hungary national football team
The Hungary national football team represents Hungary in international football and is controlled by the Hungarian Football Federation....
. He subsequently worked as a coach in Europe and South America, most notably with FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona
Futbol Club Barcelona , also known as Barcelona and familiarly as Barça, is a professional football club, based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain....
, Colo-Colo
Colo-Colo
Club Social y Deportivo Colo-Colo is a Chilean football club based in the commune of Macul, Santiago. It competes in the Primera División, the top-flight football league in the country, from which they have never been relegated. Their home ground is the Estadio Monumental David Arellano.Colo-Colo...
, River Plate
Club Atlético River Plate
Club Atlético River Plate is an Argentine sports club based in the Nuñez neighborhood of Buenos Aires. It is best known for its professional football team, which currently competes in Nacional B, the second tier of Argentine football....
, Boca Juniors
Boca Juniors
Club Atlético Boca Juniors is an Argentine sports club based in La Boca neighborhood of Buenos Aires. It is best known for its professional football team, which currently plays in the Primera División....
and Chile
Chile national football team
The Chilean national football team represents Chile in all major international football competitions. The team is controlled by the Federación de Fútbol de Chile which was established in 1895. They have appeared in eight World Cup tournaments and were hosts of the 1962 FIFA World Cup finishing in...
. Platko was an early FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona
Futbol Club Barcelona , also known as Barcelona and familiarly as Barça, is a professional football club, based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain....
legend and was a team-mate of Paulino Alcántara
Paulino Alcántara
Paulino Alcántara Riestrá was a Filipino–Spanish footballer and manager. He spent most of his playing career at Barcelona and was the first Filipino and Asian player to play for a European club. He also played for Catalonia, the Philippines and Spain...
, Josep Samitier
Josep Samitier
Josep Samitier Vilalta , also known as José Samitier , was a Spanish footballer, manager and scout who played for FC Barcelona, Madrid CF, OGC Nice, the Catalan XI and Spain...
and Sagibarba
Emilio Sagi Liñan
Emilio Sagi Liñán , was a former footballer who played as a left-winger for FC Barcelona, the Catalan XI and Spain during the 1920s and 1930s. He was the son of, Emilio Sagi Barba, the Catalan baritone singer, and as a result, was widely referred to as Sagibarba...
. His bravery as a goalkeeper was immortalized by Rafael Alberti
Rafael Alberti
Rafael Alberti Merello was a Spanish poet, a member of the Generation of '27....
in the poem Oda A Platko. After retiring as a player he returned to the club as a coach on two occasions (1934–35, 1955–56).
Hungary
Platko began his career as a goalkeeper in his hometown of BudapestBudapest
Budapest is the capital of Hungary. As the largest city of Hungary, it is the country's principal political, cultural, commercial, industrial, and transportation centre. In 2011, Budapest had 1,733,685 inhabitants, down from its 1989 peak of 2,113,645 due to suburbanization. The Budapest Commuter...
with local club Vasas SC
Vasas SC
Vasas SC is one of Hungary's major sports clubs. Most of its facilities are situated in Budapest's 13th district in the north of the town. Members of the Hungarian Union of Iron Workers founded the club as Vas-és Fémmunkások Sport Clubja, the "Sport Club of Iron and Steel Workers", on 16 March 1911...
in 1917 . After a brief spell at WAC Vienna in 1920, he returned to Vasas for another season before joining MTK Hungária FC
MTK Hungária FC
MTK Budapest FC or just MTK is a football club from Budapest, Hungary. The team plays in the second division of the Hungarian League. The club's colours are blue and white. As one of the most successful Hungarian football clubs, MTK has won the Hungarian League 23 times and the Hungarian Cup 12...
the following season. Between 1917 and 1923, Platko also played six games for Hungary
Hungary national football team
The Hungary national football team represents Hungary in international football and is controlled by the Hungarian Football Federation....
. In 1921/1922 season he played for KAFK Kula from Kula (Serbia). In 1922 MTK played two friendlies against FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona
Futbol Club Barcelona , also known as Barcelona and familiarly as Barça, is a professional football club, based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain....
. Both games finished as 0-0 draws and FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona
Futbol Club Barcelona , also known as Barcelona and familiarly as Barça, is a professional football club, based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain....
, impressed with Platko offered him a contract.
FC Barcelona
Platko replaced the legendary Ricardo ZamoraRicardo Zamora
Ricard Zamora i Martínez was a Spanish footballer and manager. He played as a goalkeeper for, among others, RCD Espanyol, FC Barcelona and Real Madrid. As an international he played for both the Catalan XI and Spain...
, but soon established himself as a legend in his own right. He spent seven years at FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona
Futbol Club Barcelona , also known as Barcelona and familiarly as Barça, is a professional football club, based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain....
between 1923 and 1930. During that time he won six Campionat de Catalunya titles, three Copa del Rey
Copa del Rey
The Copa del Rey is an annual football cup competition for Spanish football teams. Its full name is Campeonato de España – Copa de Su Majestad el Rey de Fútbol ....
and the first ever La Liga
La Liga
The Primera División of the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional , commonly known as La Liga or, for sponsorship reasons, Liga BBVA since 2008, is the top professional association football division of the Spanish football league system...
title. The poem Oda A Platko came about following the Copa del Rey
Copa del Rey
The Copa del Rey is an annual football cup competition for Spanish football teams. Its full name is Campeonato de España – Copa de Su Majestad el Rey de Fútbol ....
final in 1928. FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona
Futbol Club Barcelona , also known as Barcelona and familiarly as Barça, is a professional football club, based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain....
took three games to beat Real Sociedad
Real Sociedad
Real Sociedad de Fútbol, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in the city of San Sebastián, Basque Country, founded on 7 September 1909...
and during the first encounter on May 20, Rafael Alberti
Rafael Alberti
Rafael Alberti Merello was a Spanish poet, a member of the Generation of '27....
was so impressed with the bravery of Platko that he later wrote the poem in his honour. Platko finished his playing career at Recreativo de Huelva
Recreativo de Huelva
Real Club Recreativo de Huelva, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Huelva, in the autonomous community of Andalusia. Founded on 23 December 1889, it is the oldest football team in Spain, and currently plays in the second division, holding home games at Estadio Nuevo Colombino, which has a...
and retired as a player in 1931. He soon began his career as a coach, working in France with FC Mulhouse
FC Mulhouse
Football Club de Mulhouse is a French association football club based in Mulhouse. The club was founded in 1893 and currently play in the Championnat de France amateur, the fourth level of French football. Mulhouse plays its home matches at the Stade de l'Ill located within the city...
(1932–33) and Racing Club de Roubaix (1933–34), before returning to FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona
Futbol Club Barcelona , also known as Barcelona and familiarly as Barça, is a professional football club, based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain....
as a coach for the 1934/35 season. Despite guiding the club to another Championat de Catalunya, the following season he was replaced by Patrick O'Connell. After two decades away from the club Platko was reappointed coach of CF Barcelona
FC Barcelona
Futbol Club Barcelona , also known as Barcelona and familiarly as Barça, is a professional football club, based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain....
for the 1955/56 season. During this season the club, inspired by Ladislao Kubala
Ladislao Kubala
László Kubala Stecz , also referred to as Ladislav Kubala, Ladislao Kubala, was a footballer, who played as a forward with, among others, Ferencvárosi TC, ŠK Slovan Bratislava, Vasas SC, FC Barcelona and RCD Espanyol. He also played for three different national teams, Czechoslovakia, Hungary and...
and Luis Suárez
Luis Suárez Miramontes
Luis Suárez Miramontes , also known by the diminutive Luisito, is a Spanish former footballer and manager. He played as a midfielder for Deportivo de La Coruña, CD España Industrial, CF Barcelona, Internazionale, Sampdoria and Spain. Suárez is regarded as one of Spain's greatest players; as a...
, won 10 consecutive La Liga
La Liga
The Primera División of the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional , commonly known as La Liga or, for sponsorship reasons, Liga BBVA since 2008, is the top professional association football division of the Spanish football league system...
games in a row. The record remained unbeaten until 2005. Despite this run CF Barcelona
FC Barcelona
Futbol Club Barcelona , also known as Barcelona and familiarly as Barça, is a professional football club, based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain....
only managed to finish second in La Liga
La Liga
The Primera División of the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional , commonly known as La Liga or, for sponsorship reasons, Liga BBVA since 2008, is the top professional association football division of the Spanish football league system...
behind Atlético Bilbao
Athletic Bilbao
Athletic Club, also known as Athletic Bilbao, is an association football club from Bilbao in Biscay, Spain. The club has played in the Primera División of La Liga since its start in 1928. They have won La Liga on eight occasions...
and Platko was replaced the following season.
South America
During the two decades away from FC BarcelonaFC Barcelona
Futbol Club Barcelona , also known as Barcelona and familiarly as Barça, is a professional football club, based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain....
established himself as a coach in South America. In 1939, during the first of three spells at Colo-Colo
Colo-Colo
Club Social y Deportivo Colo-Colo is a Chilean football club based in the commune of Macul, Santiago. It competes in the Primera División, the top-flight football league in the country, from which they have never been relegated. Their home ground is the Estadio Monumental David Arellano.Colo-Colo...
he guided the club to the Chilean Championionship
Liga Chilena de Fútbol: Primera División
The Primera División del Fútbol Profesional Chileno is the top level of Chilean football, and main component of the Chilean football league system. It is organized by the Asociación Nacional de Fútbol Profesional and is currently ranked 9th in the IFFHS' Best Leagues of the World ranking...
. In 1940 he had a spell in charge of River Plate
Club Atlético River Plate
Club Atlético River Plate is an Argentine sports club based in the Nuñez neighborhood of Buenos Aires. It is best known for its professional football team, which currently competes in Nacional B, the second tier of Argentine football....
in Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
before he returned to Chile
Chile
Chile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...
and Colo-Colo in 1941, winning a second Chilean Championship
Liga Chilena de Fútbol: Primera División
The Primera División del Fútbol Profesional Chileno is the top level of Chilean football, and main component of the Chilean football league system. It is organized by the Asociación Nacional de Fútbol Profesional and is currently ranked 9th in the IFFHS' Best Leagues of the World ranking...
. In 1941 he took charge of Chile
Chile national football team
The Chilean national football team represents Chile in all major international football competitions. The team is controlled by the Federación de Fútbol de Chile which was established in 1895. They have appeared in eight World Cup tournaments and were hosts of the 1962 FIFA World Cup finishing in...
and continued as national team manager until 1945, coaching the team at both the South American Championship
Copa América
The Copa América —previously known as South American Championship—is an international football competition contested between the men's national teams of CONMEBOL, the sport's continental governing body...
in both 1942
South American Championship 1942
The seventeenth edition of the South American Championship was held in Montevideo, Uruguay from January 10, 1942 to February 7, 1942.For the first time seven teams took part of the event; the participating countries were Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay.Bolivia, and...
and 1945
South American Championship 1945
The eighteenth edition of the South American Championship was held in Santiago, Chile from January 14, 1945 to February 28, 1945. This tournament an extra edition, with no trophy handed to the winners, but considered official by CONMEBOL....
. During 1942 he also coached two other Chilean clubs, Club Magallanes and Santiago Wanderers
Club de Deportes Santiago Wanderers
Club de Deportes Santiago Wanderers S.A.D.P., is a Chilean football club based in the city of Valparaíso. Founded on 15 August 1892, Wanderers is Chile's oldest football club...
. In 1949 he coached Boca Juniors
Boca Juniors
Club Atlético Boca Juniors is an Argentine sports club based in La Boca neighborhood of Buenos Aires. It is best known for its professional football team, which currently plays in the Primera División....
and in 1953 he returned to Colo-Colo for a third time and won a third Chilean Championionship
Liga Chilena de Fútbol: Primera División
The Primera División del Fútbol Profesional Chileno is the top level of Chilean football, and main component of the Chilean football league system. It is organized by the Asociación Nacional de Fútbol Profesional and is currently ranked 9th in the IFFHS' Best Leagues of the World ranking...
.
The Platko Brothers
Franz Platko also had two brothers, Esteban PlatkoEsteban Platko
István Plattkó also known as Esteben Platko was a Hungarian football player and manager who coached Real Valladolid, Granada CF, CD Atlético Baleares and RCD Mallorca in Spain. His brothers were Franz Platko and Carlos Platko.-References:...
and Carlos Platko
Carlos Platko
Károly Plattkó also known as Carlos Platko was a Hungarian football player and manager who coached Sporting de Gijón, Real Valladolid, Celta de Vigo, and Girona FC in Spain. His brothers were Franz Platko and Esteban Platko.-References:...
who followed him to Spain and subsequently established themselves as coaches. Esteban coached, among others Real Valladolid
Real Valladolid
Real Valladolid Club de Fútbol, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Valladolid, in the autonomous community of Castile and León, from where the nickname Pucela is derived....
(1928–31, 1934–40), Granada CF
Granada CF
Granada Club de Fútbol is a Spanish football club based in Granada, in the autonomous community of Andalusia. Founded on 14 April 1931, it currently plays in La Liga, holding home matches at Estadio Nuevo Los Cármenes....
(1943–45) and RCD Mallorca
RCD Mallorca
Real Club Deportivo Mallorca is a Spanish football team based on Palma, Majorca, in the Balearic Islands. Founded on 5 March 1916, the team currently plays in the Spanish first division, holding home games at Son Moix....
while Carlos coached Real Valladolid
Real Valladolid
Real Valladolid Club de Fútbol, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Valladolid, in the autonomous community of Castile and León, from where the nickname Pucela is derived....
(1941–43), Celta de Vigo
Celta de Vigo
Real Club Celta de Vigo , simply referred to as Celta Vigo, is a Spanish professional football club based in Vigo, Galicia, currently playing in the Segunda División. It was founded on March 28, 1923 following the merger of Real Vigo Sporting and Real Fortuna Foot-ball Club.Nicknamed Los Celestes ,...
(1944–46), Girona FC
Girona FC
Girona Futbol Club, S.A.D. is a Spanish football team based in Girona, in the autonomous community of Catalonia. Founded in 1930, it plays in Segunda División, holding home games at Estadi Montilivi, which has a capacity of 10,000....
(1948–49) and Sporting de Gijón
Sporting de Gijón
Real Sporting de Gijón, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club from Gijón, Asturias. Founded in 1 June 1905, it currently plays in Spanish first division....
.
Honours
PlayerFC Barcelona
- Spanish ChampionsLa LigaThe Primera División of the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional , commonly known as La Liga or, for sponsorship reasons, Liga BBVA since 2008, is the top professional association football division of the Spanish football league system...
: 1- 1928-29
- Copa del ReyCopa del ReyThe Copa del Rey is an annual football cup competition for Spanish football teams. Its full name is Campeonato de España – Copa de Su Majestad el Rey de Fútbol ....
: 3- 1924-25, 1925–26, 1927–28
- Catalan Champions: 6
- 1923-24, 1924–25, 1925–26, 1926–27, 1927–28, 1929–30
Manager
FC Barcelona
- Catalan Champions: 1
- 1934-35
Colo-Colo
- Chilean ChampionsLiga Chilena de Fútbol: Primera DivisiónThe Primera División del Fútbol Profesional Chileno is the top level of Chilean football, and main component of the Chilean football league system. It is organized by the Asociación Nacional de Fútbol Profesional and is currently ranked 9th in the IFFHS' Best Leagues of the World ranking...
: 3- 1939, 1941, 1953
Ode to Platko
Nobody forgets, Platko,No, nobody, nobody, nobody,
blond bear of Hungary.
Nor the sea,
That in front of you jumped without being able to defend himself.
Nor rain. Nor the wind, that were the one that roared the most.
Nor the sea, nor the wind, Platko,
blond Platko of blood,
guardameta in the dust lightning rod.
Not nobody, nobody, nobody.
blue and white T-shirts, on the air,
real t-shirts,
opposite, against you, flying and dragging you.
Platko, distant Platko,
blond broken Platko,
tiger burning in the grass of another country.
You, key, Platko, you, broken key,
golden key fallen in front of the golden porch
- This is only very rough translation of poem, needs improving