Three years without Pedro Ferrándiz
On 7 July 2022, a Real Madrid and world basketball legend passed away.
Three years ago today, Pedro Ferrándiz, the most decorated coach in the history of the Real Madrid basketball team and a legend of the sport worldwide, left us. The coach from Alicante, who was 93 years old when he passed away, marked an era and led Real Madrid to win 27 trophies (4 European Cups, 12 League titles and 11 Copa de España trophies).
In 1959, he took over the first team after his achievements in the club's youth teams and until 1975, he alternated between the bench and the technical management of the section. During the 13 seasons he coached the Madridista squad, he managed 490 games and won 414.
He enjoyed a remarkable 88-game unbeaten streak between 1971 and 1975. Throughout his career, he demonstrated his brilliance 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 produced moments for basketball history, such as when he ordered an auto-basket in a European Cup game in Varese.
Recognition
Ferrándiz was coach of the Spanish national team (1964-65) and between 1986 and 1997 he was in charge of the Real Madrid basketball team in two different periods. His contribution to the development of world basketball was recognised with distinctions such as the Grand Cross of the Royal Order of Sporting Merit, the Collar 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 named an honorary member of Real Madrid.