One year without Pedro Ferrándiz
The Real Madrid and world basketball legend passed away on 7 July 2022.
A year ago Pedro Ferrándiz, the most decorated coach in the history of Real Madrid's basketball side and a world legend of the sport, left us. The Alicante-born coach, who was 93 years old at the time, marked an era and led Real Madrid to win 27 titles 4 European Cups, 12 Leagues and 11 Spanish Cups.
In 1959 he took over the reins of the first team after successfully managing the club's youth teams, and until 1975 he alternated between the bench and the technical management of the club's first team. During the 13 seasons that he coached the Madrid squad, he managed 490 matches and won 414. Of particular note was his unbeaten run of 88 matches between 1971 and 1975. Throughout his career he demonstrated his genius and capacity for innovation and was a pioneer in going to the United States to sign stars such as Hightower, Clifford Luyk, Brabender and Walter Szczerbiak. He also played a key role in the history of basketball, namely when he called his shot in a European Cup game in Varese.
Renowned
Ferrándiz, who was born on 20 November 1928 in Alicante, was coach of the Spanish national team 1964-65 and between 1986 and 1997 he was in charge of the basketball team at Real Madrid during two different periods. His contribution to the development of world basketball was recognised with distinctions such as the Great Cross of the Royal Order of Sporting Merit, the Chain of the Olympic Order and his inclusion in the United States Hall of Fame and the FIBA Hall of Fame. In addition, in February 2017, he was recognised as an honorary member of Real Madrid.
In 1959 he took over the reins of the first team after successfully managing the club's youth teams, and until 1975 he alternated between the bench and the technical management of the club's first team. During the 13 seasons that he coached the Madrid squad, he managed 490 matches and won 414. Of particular note was his unbeaten run of 88 matches between 1971 and 1975. Throughout his career he demonstrated his genius and capacity for innovation and was a pioneer in going to the United States to sign stars such as Hightower, Clifford Luyk, Brabender and Walter Szczerbiak. He also played a key role in the history of basketball, namely when he called his shot in a European Cup game in Varese.
Renowned
Ferrándiz, who was born on 20 November 1928 in Alicante, was coach of the Spanish national team 1964-65 and between 1986 and 1997 he was in charge of the basketball team at Real Madrid during two different periods. His contribution to the development of world basketball was recognised with distinctions such as the Great Cross of the Royal Order of Sporting Merit, the Chain of the Olympic Order and his inclusion in the United States Hall of Fame and the FIBA Hall of Fame. In addition, in February 2017, he was recognised as an honorary member of Real Madrid.