Full name Janos Biri Role Footballer Place of death Budapest, Hungary Height 1.82 m | Playing position Position Goalkeeper Name Janos Biri | |
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Date of birth (1901-07-21)21 July 1901 Place of birth Budapest, Austria-Hungary Date of death 20 February 1974(1974-02-20) (aged 72) Died February 20, 1974, Budapest, Hungary | ||
János Biri (21 July 1901 – 20 February 1974) was a Hungarian footballer and coach.
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Biri played as a goalkeeper for a number of clubs, most notably Padova and MTK Budapest FC, also representing Hungary in the 1924 Summer Olympics. However, he is best known for his coaching career in Portugal which spanned 31 years.
Career
Born in Budapest, Biri career in football started in a hometown club, Kispest AC at the age of 19. His performances earned him a place in the Hungary squad for the 1924 Summer Olympics.
In 1925, he moved to Italy, representing Padova in the early days of what was to known as Serie A. After two seasons in Italy, he returned back to Hungary, passing through several teams, without much success, having short spells in France and Portugal, retiring in 1936, at age 35.
Shortly after, Biri started coaching Porto, winning Campeonato de Porto and coming runner-up in Primeira Liga in his only season there.
After a brief spell Académico Porto, he was then hired by Benfica's President Augusto da Fonseca Júnior. In the 8 seasons he spent there, he successfully challenged Sporting dominance, claiming 3 Primeira Liga titles and 3 Taça de Portugal.
He held the record for most games managed and won, for over 75 years, until Jorge Jesus surpassed him in 2014. However, he still has the highest winning percentage of any other coach with at least 100 games and the second longest reign with 8 years, after Cosme Damião.
After Benfica, János managed eleven other teams, retiring as coach in 1966, after more than 30 years in managerial roles.