Jorge Griffa, historic coach of youth footballers, has died

Jorge Bernardo Griffa died this Monday at the age of 88. Although he had distinguished himself as a footballer at Newell’s and Atlético de Madrid, he later earned the nickname “Maestro” when he became youth coach of the lower divisions of the Rosario team.

Griffa was born in the town of Casilda, 50 kilometers from Rosario, on 7 May 1935. As a professional footballer he played as a defender at Newell’s between 1954 and 1959, at Atlético de Madrid (1959/69) and then at Espanyol of Madrid. Barcelona (1969/71).

After retiring, he began working as a youth coach at Newell’s. There he became a legend for the number of players he coached who then reached the first team.

In 1995, when Mauricio Macri became president of Boca, Griffa arrived at the La Ribera club as coordinator of the youth teams. He will subsequently transfer his youth experience to Mexico.