So we're pretty much at the end of the 2010's with only next season left to wrap them up. I'm pretty sure pre-war teams and football wouldn't get a look in on here, so let's start with the 1950's. Actually, let me give a breakdown of each decade with a minimum of 5 greats for each area of the pitch. Where there are more than 5, I simply could not separate the cohabitants of said spot. The idea with 5 is to give a solid idea of the quality per position as generally, it's a sliding scale beyond a certain point, plus, I don't think people really care to see 10 per position.
Regarding these 'All-Star' sides, first and foremost, a suspension of disbelief must be applied, as in reality, so many superstars in an attack is more likely to not work and get in each other’s way. Secondly, these are my personal takes on the xi's, pointlessly quibbling over them defeats the purpose of this thread, as, even if you have a different interpretation of the greatest xi for any particular decade, then more power to you in making your decision on whom to vote for. Finally, 'X' represents players whose position on the pitch is not really definable by the common metrics of the rest of the groupings. For these players, you could get ten people stating they played a different position from one another, for example, Messi is a wide-forward for some; a 'false #9' for others; a #10 for others still, and the truth is, he is all of these things and a little more. The same applies for a Cruyff, Beckenbauer or Di Stefano and so forth - to one person they are one position, to another, they play a different one or should be defined as such, to remove the debate, they are simply placed in an indefinable X, or an X that represents they are open to your own personal interpretation.
All Time Greatest Players:
Centre Forwards: Puskás, Fontaine, Vava, Kocsis, Nordahl, Taylor
X: Di Stefano, Kubala, Finney, Hidegukti, Boniperti, Julinho, Wilkes, Ben Barek,
Support Strikers / Offensive Midfielders: Didi, Schiaffino, Kopa, Walter, Sivori, Gren
Wingers: Garrincha, Matthews, Rahn, Gento, Czibor, Hamrin, Joya
Central Midfielders: Bozsik, Liedholm, Ocwirk, Edwards Varela, Hanappi, Netto, Zito
Full-Backs: Djalma Santos, Nilton Santos, B Stankovic, Bergmark, Byrne
Centre-Backs: Santamaria, Charles, B. Wright, Franklin, Cor Van der Hart
Goalkeepers: Grosics, Beara, Carrizo, Ramallets, Livingstone
Great Teams:
Club:
1. Real Madrid. 1955-1960. Beneficiaries of the European Cup being inaugurated at the opportune time for them. Collected 5 in a row thanks to the all-conquering side they put together with Di Stefano at the helm aided by a who's who of superstars of the era.
2. Budapest Honvéd. 1950-1955. If organised European competition had been ushered in whilst Hungary were at their peak before the revolution, they would have been the team to beat and very likely the first powerhouses of the competition. Puskás instead went on to collect the spoils with the team sitting at #1 above them in this list.
3.Barcelona. 1950-1953. In the tiiiiime beforeee Di Stefano, Barcelona were the kings of La Liga and Europe, of sorts (winning the Latin Cup twice, with one of the first 'Galactico' multi-national elite team seen in Europe, and if the deal for the aforementioned Di Stefano had gone through, their star-studded line up would have had the king of the age. It's arguable whether they would've scooped up all of the European Cups in an alternate timeline as Madrid would then keep Didi and very possibly had he and Puskas form another dynamic duo of sorts. Irrespective, Barcelona were one of the behemoths of the decade, ill-forgotten with the passage of time, and moreso Real Madrid’s overshadowing of them with their dominance of the European Cup.
4. AC Milan. 1950's. Just as the great Dutch triumvirate would do some 30 years later, AC Milan's Swedish contingent of the 50's consisting of Gunnar Gren, Gunnar Nordhal and Niels Liedholm. infamously known as GRE-NO-LI, carried the Milanese to great domestic success and powerful forays in Europe. Milan had a vested interest in international competition well before the European Cup's inception in 1955. They played in the Latin Cup, the forerunner to the European Cup, from its genesis to its end and won it twice. A mention of ‘50’s Milan without connective tissue to Juan Schiaffino, tormentor in chief of so many sides of the era, would be heresy, so he gets a sentence. During the era, they [Milan] were thwarted by Real Madrid in the semi-final of the 1956/'57 season and the final of the 1957/'58 season. It goes without saying they would have at least one European Cup in the 50's if it wasn't for the pesky meddling team of the decade.
5. Wolverhampton Wanderers. 1953-1960. If organised European competition had been ushered in a few years earlier and English sides had been allowed to compete from the get-go, Wolves would have been contesting the trophy with Budapest, Milan, Stade de Reims and Barcelona. Not surefire odds, but to be up there as a name worthy of mention, states their status in the 1950's.
National:
1. Hungary's Magical Magyars aka The Golden Team. 1950-1956. Absolute dominance, sublime, evolutionary football with controversy aplenty surrounding their losses. If they had have won the 1954 World Cup, it's highly probable they would be seen as the best national team of all time to this day.
2. Brazil 1958. The emergence of a 17-year old wunderkind by the name of Pelé into a star-studded line-up where he shone above all others, ushered in Brazil's legend as the greatest of all World Cup winning nations. This team is regarded as one of the best of all-time, even seen as the best World Cup winning team by some. Their asymmetrical 4-2-4 system baffled opponents and is easily identifiable to even the moderately trained eye some 60 years later.
3. West Germany. 1954. The cynical, never say die West German side were a good, solid team with lethal players in Rahn, Walter and Schafer. It's just that, in the presence of a true, all-time force, history does not look upon them kindly and thus, they are somewhat forgotten men of the era and indeed the final outside of the controversies surrounding it.
4. Uruguay. 1950. The obstinate, defiant Uruguayans who shocked the world and caused suicides in Brazil as well as years of World Cup hangover off the back of winning the tournament in Brazil. Their captain, Obdulio Varela's leadership immortalised him for the odds he barraged his team through to claim the trophy.
5. Sweden. 1950's. If not for Pelé, Sweden would have made the 1958 World Cup final a competitive event and the possibility of them winning the trophy and having a World Cup to the nation's name is not implausible. Sweden as a nation had got to grips with exporting talent to richer leagues, namely Serie A, well before others had caught on, their players were stars of the age, and to this day, hold their places in any Swedish all-time xi line-up. Hamrin, Bergmark, Liedholm, Skoglund and Gren: a group of players who would rightly expect to be a match against any nation they came up against sans Hungary and a Pelé inspired Brazil.
Greatest 3 players: Di Stefano. Puskas, Garrincha
Feats and changes in decade:
--------------------------------------------------------Puskás
-----------------------------------------------------Di Stefano
Gento-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Garrincha
----------------------------------------------------------Didi
--------------------------------------------------------Boszik
Nilton Santos-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------Djalma Santos
----------------------------------------------Charles----------Santamaria
-------------------------------------------------------Grosics
All Time Greatest Players:
Centre Forwards: Eusébio, Spencer, Greaves, Law, Seeler, Altafini, Coutinho, Aguas
X: Albert, S. Mazzola, Van Himst, Amancio, Jair, Simoes
Support Strikers / Offensive Midfielders: Pelé, Charlton, Rivera, Luis Suarez, Haynes
Wingers: Best, Džajić, Johnstone, Bene, Schafer, Coen Moulijn, Swart
Central Midfielders: Masopust, Voronin, Szymaniak, Blanchflower, Coluna, Gérson, Pirri
Full-Backs: Carlos Alberto, Facchetti, Armfield, Marzolini, Schnellinger
Centre-Backs: Moore, Shesternyov, Popluhar, C.Maldini, Germano,
Goalkeepers: Yashin, Banks, Gilmar, Alberto Pereira, Iribar
Great Teams:
Club:
1. Santos. 1960-1966. Because of Pelé, Santos became the most coveted scalp in football. Outside of the Intercontinental Cup, they played numerous 'friendlies' that were deadly serious competitions to see who was the best between them and European opposition. Pelé was made a literal National Treasure by the Brazilian government in 1961, which meant he was forbidden from playing for a club in any other country. At the peak of his powers, with the brilliant Coutinho as his #9 partnering forward, Pelé and Santos were the ultimate feather in the cap.
2. Inter Milan. 1962-1967. 3 Serie A titles, back-to-back European Cups and a runners-up position; the embodiment of a league to this day. Their miserly defence-first approach became the cornerstone for the Italian national team and the art of defending a lead with control, skill and counter-attacking threat became a concept in itself. Whatever defensive intent there was prior to Inter and their catenaccio became a refined school of thought afterward.
3. Benfica. 1960-1968. 5 European Cup finals whilst winning 2 of those back-to-back. Monstrous side with the equally monstrous Eusebio putting away chances other strikers could only dream of. This Benfica side was star-studded with the legendary Mario Coluna marshalling them from the centre of midfield.
3. Peñarol. 1960-1966. Peñarol and Benfica of this era were almost mirror images in terms of success and performance level. Where Benfica had Eusebio, Peñarol had Alberto Spencer, who was terrorising the Copa Libertadores' opposition to become a legend. The team went to 5 finals in 6 seasons, winning 3 of them. They also won the Intercontinental Cup twice during this period, beating the legendary Real Madrid and Benfica sides to do so.
4. Celtic. 1967-1976. All players born within 20 miles of the ground 1 European Cup; 9 league titles; turned Celtic into a dominant force in their nation at a time when Scottish football was strong.
5. Manchester United. 1967-1968. It is [a lack of] longevity, not quality that places this side where they are. Charlton and Best at their best with Law not far off. A side that should have done more.
National:
1. Brazil 1962. With Pelé injured, Brazil's other attacking craque, Garrincha, took the helm and stirred the good ship Seleção to World Cup glory in spectacular fashion. Garrincha had a tournament for the ages, which is strangely not really talked about in the manner it warrants. The deceptive quality of this team was that they were just as organised as they were individually talented. Much like Brazilian sides that have followed them, this side were adept at working the opposition into positions that favoured them whilst slowly and surely draining them of stamina and concentration during enumerable chase-the-ball sessions. When a team has individuals who can dribble, run, pass and shoot with such ease the mental and physical energy needed to stop them is considerable. Brazil ’62 were an exasperating team to play against, with or without Pelé.
2. England 1966. England's dogged, determined style wasn't beautiful to watch, neither was this side the pinnacle of English footballing prowess despite being World Cup winners - the 1970 side was better, but unfortunate to encounter the great Brazil and a more honed West Germany – but they were industrious, determined and forerunners of true graft mixed in with some talented players who were the able match of any opponent. Ramsey’s ‘Wingless Wonders’ were a nightmarishly difficult side to play against due to their tireless work ethic and the stamina to simply outwork and then overrun teams. The pressure their opponents were under to maintain composure, work-rate and focus under the waves of concerted attack was enough to see most crumble.
3. West Germany 1966. West Germany were just as dogged as England, whilst being technically superior and more tactically refined. A young man by the name of Franz Beckenbauer glided through central midfield all tournament long looking like some kind of computer simulation of how the role should be played scoring 4 goals and announcing himself on the world stage – he didn’t even like central midfield; too busy, crowded and aggressive for his liking - yet made it look easy with some of the best displays of midfield play the World Cup has ever seen. Many swore West Germany were robbed in the final, and it’s a debate that runs to this day. It’s a testament to England, and shows their resolve that they could go head-to-head with what would have been a truly worthy and renowned winner of the 1966 World Cup, which is why I believe they should be ranked above them despite being a less refined side.
4. Italy 1968-1970. Italian football forged a great reputation for itself throughout the 60’s with the famed AC Milan and then Internazionale sides lifting three European Cups in a row from 1962 to 1965 with Inter announcing an awesome, if frustrating, brand of football to the world and transferring it to the national team, adding the ultimate cream to the brew with one of the superstars of the age in Gianni Rivera of AC Milan. The two Milanese clubs provided the core of an Azzurri side primed for success. Of the age, it was a who’s who of European football’s top talent with elite players such as: Giancinto Facchetti, Sandro Mazzola, Tarcisio Burgnich, Dino Zoff, Roberto Rosato, Luigi Riva all joining the aforementioned Rivera, Lest we forget, this is a side who went on to an epic, for the ages battle with West Germany in the 1970 World Cup – it is only the accursed Brazilians and the humiliation they dished out that prevented Italy from being the very first double-major holders with the Euro Cup already in hand and the World Cup final gotten to on merit. They played in solid, controlled blocks in a style familiar to successful Italian national teams ever since with the same principles of a classic #10 being the provider and controller in-chief behind a prolific striker. It’s unfortunate for them that their era had so many extremely talented sides – their legacy has been pushed to the wayside with the passage of time and more pointedly, their crushing defeat at the hands of Brazil, but the Italians are more than worthy of their place in this list.
5. Portugal 1966. Portugal 1966 are one of few non-cup-winning national teams in this entire thread. The reason they are placed here is because of both the football they played and the adversity they overcame in the process of doing so. North Korea isn’t an opponent put forward with any kind of legion attached to them in the annuls of time, but somehow, Portugal took it upon themselves to go 3 goals down to them before a Eusebio-inspired comeback saw them score 5 in a row with the aforementioned claiming 4 for himself. It’s not this feat alone that has them ranked, but their swashbuckling, daring manner that enabled Eusebio to claim 9 goals and become the tournament top-scorer whilst displaying his legendary prowess on the grandest stage of all.
Greatest 3 players: Pelé, Eusébio, Charlton/Best
Feats and changes in decade:
------------------------------------------------------Eusébio
---------------------------------------------------------Pelé
Džajić-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Best
----------------------------------------------------B.Charlton
-----------------------------------------------------Masopust
Facchetti----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Carlos Alberto
-----------------------------------------------Moore----------Shesternyov
-------------------------------------------------------Yashin
All Time Greatest Players:
Centre Forwards: G.Müller, Kempes, Riva, Krankl, Lubański, Heynckes
X: Cruyff, Beckenbauer, Blokhin Overath, Boniek, Keegan, Simonsen, Bettega
Support Strikers / Offensive Midfielders: Netzer, Cubillas, Bochini, Rivelino, Deyna, Antognini, Tostao,
Wingers: Rensenbrink, Keizer, Lato, Rep, Jairzinho, Bertoni
Central Midfielders: Neeskens, Van Hanegem, Breitner*, Bonhof, Bremner, Ardiles
Full-Backs: Vogts, Breitner, Krol, Suurbier, Kalz, McGrain
Centre-Backs: Figueroa, Passarella, Luis Pereira, Chumpitaz, Schwarzenbeck,
Goalkeepers: Zoff, Maier, Mazurkiewicz, Jennings, Fillol
*Breitner was both one of the greatest full-backs to play the game as well as central midfielder, when moving into the position full time later in his career.
Great Teams:
Club:
1. Ajax 1970 - 1973. 3 European Cups in a row - in running for greatest club side of all-time. One of the most famed club sides of all-time for the Rinus Michels-created Total Voetbal that is arguably the most revered single system ever developed. Ajax’s revolution actually started in 1968 off the back of a defeat to Ernst Happel’s Feyenoord (they were already league champions since 1965, though). Their 4-2-4 was schooled by the extra man advantage of the more balanced 4-3-3 of Feyenoord. Michels adopted that system, but then built on its philosophy to a point where it was undoubtedly its own entity. Johan Cruyff enabled the system to become what it was as he was adept all over the pitch and his fast ball-carrying and sharp reading of open space and windows of opportunity, left holes for team-mates to exploit wherever he went or vacated on the pitch. Ajax’s football wowed crowds across Europe and essentially became a Harlem Globetrotter–esque spectacle. Ajax were defeated by themselves – disbanding, to be precise. The maverick that was Cruyff sought pastures new and went off to Barcelona with the brilliant Johan Neeskens departing Ajax to join him just a season later. These two are literally contenders for an all-time xi throughout the history of football, so any team is going to feel the loss as they are not replaceable and so too was the case for Ajax.
2. Bayern Munich 1974-1977. 3 European Cups in a row. Ajax weren’t the only monstrous side of the decade and it’s by no means a given that even if Cruyff and Neeskens had stayed, they would have continued their dominance – Bayern Munich were the representation of West German football that was to go on to dominate the national game with the equally luminescent Franz Beckenbauer being neck-and-neck in quality with the much revered Cruyff. The lethal Gerd Müller, who is classed as one of, if not the very best, striker of all-time was as equally prolific for club as he was for country. Paul Breitner was absolute class at left-back, and in the flexi-system of Bayern’s he often found himself in central midfield, where he was comfortably of all-time standard. Bayern’s greatest strength was their ability to switch styles as a situation required. Their flexibility and nonchalant ease led to questions of whether they were giving their absolute all or just going through the gears as and when it was needed – an accusation often thrown at Beckenbauer himself, especially so over the period of a domestic campaign. Bayern’s class was undeniable and as stated, transferable as the world was reminded of their brilliance on all available stages.
3. Liverpool 1970’s. Liverpool’s period of dominance began in the 70’s and carried over into the 80’s. They won the Uefa Cup (it was a very prestigious trophy until the late 90’s) twice before going on to collect back-to-back European Cups in 1977 and 1978. This was interlaced with league titles, too. The seamless transition from dominance with Kevin Keegan, a true star of the late 70’s, to Kenny Dalglish, arguably Liverpool’s greatest ever player, was the pivotal moment throughout all of the success as it enabled it to continue in one, effortless transition from one decade straight through into another, which is a feat very few clubs have ever managed.
4. Borussia Munchengladbach. 1970-1979. The dominant Bundesliga force of the decade. Brilliant side and huge contributors to the West German national team. Without their supplementation of players, West Germany win nothing. Through modern eyes, people see this side mentioned and laugh dismissively thinking of them as a ‘nothing’ side, which couldn’t be further from the truth. Gunter Netzer, rated as one of the greatest passers and playmakers of, well, ever; Berti Vogts (the premier full-back of the '70's); Rainer Bonhor, he of, what I would rank as the most powerful shot football has seen and the clever Jupp Heynckes up front, not forgetting the mercurial 1977 Ballon d'or winning, European Cup top-scoring Allan Simonsen. Munchengladbach of the ‘70’s were a serious footballing power who won two Uefa Cups, but fell short at the final hurdle of the big one, a hurdle that would see history look upon them with fonder eyes.
5. Independiente. 1970-1975. The greatest Copa Libertadores team of all time with 4 in a row, easily a match of Europe's finest of the era. Their methods and cynicism were highly frowned upon by the European sides who played them with Cruyff famously refusing to ever contest a game in Argentina again after the rough-housing and death threats he received in Buenos Aires during the 1972 Intercontinental Cup. Still, Bochini was a genius and Independiente, perhaps the most villainous side in the thread (beings as Leeds of the 70’s didn’t make the cut), were a very good side… perhaps misunderstood or in need of a hug.
5. Nottingham Forest. 1977-1980. The improbable team who went on to win back-to-back European Cups, on merit. Brian Clough’s greatest triumph was taking Nottingham Forest from the old English 2nd Division (now known as the Championship) to the heights of the 1st Division and then on to winning the European Cup not once, but twice, in a row – yes, for two years running, Nottingham Forest were the kings of Europe, proving the first trophy was no fluke. Forest played a hard-working 4-4-2 that relied upon tireless graft, nuanced movement and overwhelming wing-play. Their football was clean, tidy and effective, and it wasn’t mindless running as everything they did had a purpose. Forest were such a dominant side that they went on a 42-game unbeaten run, which is not talked about today. The sharp striker, Trevor Francis, a record-breaking £1m signing, was a clever reader of the game and opportunities and would observe the movement of his team-mates studiously, aiming to profit off openings and chances before opposing defenders even realised they were there. A slick side who are not out of place in a greatest clubs of the decade list for the 1970’s.
National:
1. Brazil 1970. Often stated as the best national team of all time. With their unprecedented ‘five 10’s’ Brazil produce a level of football that has come to define them as a nation. They were laughed at for thinking they could enter and compete in a tournament with no regard for tactical, positional and personnel discipline – fielding not one, not two, not three, not even four, but five traditional #10’s in one side would be seen as risible in any era at any club at any level of competition. To do so, on the greatest stage of all is downright insulting, right? Try and conceptualise five #10’s at your club being fielded all across the attacking positions in the face of all your strongest rivals. Then imagine it being done at the business end of the season or competition. Farcical, no? Brazil bucked every notion and found a way to get every ounce of creative talent out of five players who had no right to be fielded simultaneously. In logical parlance, two #10’s really is pushing it, five? That doesn’t even look realistic in a fantasy all-time line-up and is generally dismissed out of the gate. It’s not just the football this team played that automatically makes them one of, if not the best, ever; it’s the sheer confidence and daring to try and make it work; the humiliating way they defeated opponents far and wide; and the certainty of purpose the entire team had in what they were doing. A lot of teams who were truly great iterations for their nation (Peru, Uruguay, England and Italy) were put to the sword and are now forgotten men by this side. They capped it all with their final goal of the tournament – one that is considered the best team goal ever scored on the greatest stage there is.
2. West Germany 1972. Often stated as the most aesthetically impressive West German side ever. A sublime side with Netzer at his peak. As a unit, their play was both sumptuous and seamless, and on an individual level, it was extremely difficult to best the opposing man one-on-one. They worked hard for each other in both attack and defense and could control the pace and stylings of a game at will.
3. West Germany 1974. Often stated as the best German side ever. A harder working team than the ’72 side, but not as aesthetically pleasing due to the removal of Netzer first and foremost. The principles of Total Voetbal had not escaped the Germans, and although theirs was not as seamless as that of the Netherlands, it was equally - no, more, given they were the winners - as effective, and, arguably more defensively flexible given the incredible man-marking and game reading qualities of Bertie Vogts who could change the system to a 3-man, 4-man or free-marker system on command. Der Bomber, Gerd Müller was at his peak during World Cup ’74, which made this team absolutely lethal in front of goal. If you are compelled to watch any footage of them, you will note the sheer class and air of foreboding confidence that oozes out of this side. There’s no question they should be in the hat and considered a match for any other side listed in this thread.
4. Holland 1974-1978. The best Dutch sides of all-time. You can ask ten different people who was better between the ’74 side and the West German side that bested them and come back with more favouring Holland – there’s no doubt at all that Holland 1974 would be heralded as the greater of the two if they won the World Cup because their Total Voetbal was the more fluid; more fun and fantastical; the more conceptually accurate and a very clear showing that theirs was the nation of that style’s genesis. Johan Cruyff and co. were sublime throughout the ’74 World Cup, and in any other decade, a side of such quality would not sit in fourth position. Unfortunately, this is the era of aesthetic wonder with four sides in a row who have been deemed the best national teams of all-time at one time or another contesting slots. In 1978, Holland had to contest the World Cup in Argentina – a nation Cruyff and Ajax had already had major problems with – on and off the pitch. The tournament hosts were marred with talk of corruption and match-fixing as well as favourable refereeing decisions going their way. The Dutch felt they were on a hiding to nothing and were literally robbed of the trophy, as in, there was no way they were going to be allowed to win it. This is all officially unproven and never will be, I would wager. People watch the tournament and educate themselves before drawing their conclusions. Regardless, Holland’s football in ’78, even without Cruyff, was exceptional.
5. Czechoslovakia 1976. Slick, understated side, forgotten in the passage of time. The last slot here could easily go to Italy ’70, West Germany ’70 or even Argentina ’78. The 70’s produced a lot of incredible footballing sides, but this Czechoslovakian side was no different, and they won their Euro trophy in a manner befitting the decade. West Germany were on to be a 3-time major winner; Holland, as stated previously, were a legendary team who got to two World Cup finals in a row (the ’76 iteration still had Cruyff leading them, too!) – not-so-plucky Czechoslovakia beat them both, in succession, playing beautiful football and even scoring beautiful penalties.
Greatest 3 players: Cruyff, Beckenbauer, G.Muller
Feats and changes in decade:
-------------------------------------------------------G.Müller
---------------Cruijff----------------------------------------------------------------------Rensenbrink
--------------------------------------------------------Netzer
--------------------------------Van Hanegem----------------------Neeskens
Breitner--------------------------------------------Figueroa------------------------------------------Vogts
----------------------------------------------------Beckenbauer
--------------------------------------------------------Zoff
Regarding these 'All-Star' sides, first and foremost, a suspension of disbelief must be applied, as in reality, so many superstars in an attack is more likely to not work and get in each other’s way. Secondly, these are my personal takes on the xi's, pointlessly quibbling over them defeats the purpose of this thread, as, even if you have a different interpretation of the greatest xi for any particular decade, then more power to you in making your decision on whom to vote for. Finally, 'X' represents players whose position on the pitch is not really definable by the common metrics of the rest of the groupings. For these players, you could get ten people stating they played a different position from one another, for example, Messi is a wide-forward for some; a 'false #9' for others; a #10 for others still, and the truth is, he is all of these things and a little more. The same applies for a Cruyff, Beckenbauer or Di Stefano and so forth - to one person they are one position, to another, they play a different one or should be defined as such, to remove the debate, they are simply placed in an indefinable X, or an X that represents they are open to your own personal interpretation.
1950's
All Time Greatest Players:
Centre Forwards: Puskás, Fontaine, Vava, Kocsis, Nordahl, Taylor
X: Di Stefano, Kubala, Finney, Hidegukti, Boniperti, Julinho, Wilkes, Ben Barek,
Support Strikers / Offensive Midfielders: Didi, Schiaffino, Kopa, Walter, Sivori, Gren
Wingers: Garrincha, Matthews, Rahn, Gento, Czibor, Hamrin, Joya
Central Midfielders: Bozsik, Liedholm, Ocwirk, Edwards Varela, Hanappi, Netto, Zito
Full-Backs: Djalma Santos, Nilton Santos, B Stankovic, Bergmark, Byrne
Centre-Backs: Santamaria, Charles, B. Wright, Franklin, Cor Van der Hart
Goalkeepers: Grosics, Beara, Carrizo, Ramallets, Livingstone
Great Teams:
Club:
1. Real Madrid. 1955-1960. Beneficiaries of the European Cup being inaugurated at the opportune time for them. Collected 5 in a row thanks to the all-conquering side they put together with Di Stefano at the helm aided by a who's who of superstars of the era.
2. Budapest Honvéd. 1950-1955. If organised European competition had been ushered in whilst Hungary were at their peak before the revolution, they would have been the team to beat and very likely the first powerhouses of the competition. Puskás instead went on to collect the spoils with the team sitting at #1 above them in this list.
3.Barcelona. 1950-1953. In the tiiiiime beforeee Di Stefano, Barcelona were the kings of La Liga and Europe, of sorts (winning the Latin Cup twice, with one of the first 'Galactico' multi-national elite team seen in Europe, and if the deal for the aforementioned Di Stefano had gone through, their star-studded line up would have had the king of the age. It's arguable whether they would've scooped up all of the European Cups in an alternate timeline as Madrid would then keep Didi and very possibly had he and Puskas form another dynamic duo of sorts. Irrespective, Barcelona were one of the behemoths of the decade, ill-forgotten with the passage of time, and moreso Real Madrid’s overshadowing of them with their dominance of the European Cup.
4. AC Milan. 1950's. Just as the great Dutch triumvirate would do some 30 years later, AC Milan's Swedish contingent of the 50's consisting of Gunnar Gren, Gunnar Nordhal and Niels Liedholm. infamously known as GRE-NO-LI, carried the Milanese to great domestic success and powerful forays in Europe. Milan had a vested interest in international competition well before the European Cup's inception in 1955. They played in the Latin Cup, the forerunner to the European Cup, from its genesis to its end and won it twice. A mention of ‘50’s Milan without connective tissue to Juan Schiaffino, tormentor in chief of so many sides of the era, would be heresy, so he gets a sentence. During the era, they [Milan] were thwarted by Real Madrid in the semi-final of the 1956/'57 season and the final of the 1957/'58 season. It goes without saying they would have at least one European Cup in the 50's if it wasn't for the pesky meddling team of the decade.
5. Wolverhampton Wanderers. 1953-1960. If organised European competition had been ushered in a few years earlier and English sides had been allowed to compete from the get-go, Wolves would have been contesting the trophy with Budapest, Milan, Stade de Reims and Barcelona. Not surefire odds, but to be up there as a name worthy of mention, states their status in the 1950's.
National:
1. Hungary's Magical Magyars aka The Golden Team. 1950-1956. Absolute dominance, sublime, evolutionary football with controversy aplenty surrounding their losses. If they had have won the 1954 World Cup, it's highly probable they would be seen as the best national team of all time to this day.
2. Brazil 1958. The emergence of a 17-year old wunderkind by the name of Pelé into a star-studded line-up where he shone above all others, ushered in Brazil's legend as the greatest of all World Cup winning nations. This team is regarded as one of the best of all-time, even seen as the best World Cup winning team by some. Their asymmetrical 4-2-4 system baffled opponents and is easily identifiable to even the moderately trained eye some 60 years later.
3. West Germany. 1954. The cynical, never say die West German side were a good, solid team with lethal players in Rahn, Walter and Schafer. It's just that, in the presence of a true, all-time force, history does not look upon them kindly and thus, they are somewhat forgotten men of the era and indeed the final outside of the controversies surrounding it.
4. Uruguay. 1950. The obstinate, defiant Uruguayans who shocked the world and caused suicides in Brazil as well as years of World Cup hangover off the back of winning the tournament in Brazil. Their captain, Obdulio Varela's leadership immortalised him for the odds he barraged his team through to claim the trophy.
5. Sweden. 1950's. If not for Pelé, Sweden would have made the 1958 World Cup final a competitive event and the possibility of them winning the trophy and having a World Cup to the nation's name is not implausible. Sweden as a nation had got to grips with exporting talent to richer leagues, namely Serie A, well before others had caught on, their players were stars of the age, and to this day, hold their places in any Swedish all-time xi line-up. Hamrin, Bergmark, Liedholm, Skoglund and Gren: a group of players who would rightly expect to be a match against any nation they came up against sans Hungary and a Pelé inspired Brazil.
Greatest 3 players: Di Stefano. Puskas, Garrincha
Feats and changes in decade:
- Hungary and Brazil pioneer and popularize the back four to irreversibly change the shape of the game. ‘The encyclopaedia of football,’ Nilton Santos, becomes one of the first attacking full-backs.
- Hungary's 'false 9' Nandor Hidegkuti and the fluid attack which swirled around him and Ferenc Puskás confuse the hell out of England and signal the end of the rigid man-marking systems of the first half of the 20th century.
- Organised European competition is established in 1955 and is dominated by Real Madrid led by one of the first all-round generals Alfredo di Stefano:
BOBBY CHARLTON said:
1950's All-Star XI
--------------------------------------------------------Puskás
-----------------------------------------------------Di Stefano
Gento-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Garrincha
----------------------------------------------------------Didi
--------------------------------------------------------Boszik
Nilton Santos-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------Djalma Santos
----------------------------------------------Charles----------Santamaria
-------------------------------------------------------Grosics
1960's
All Time Greatest Players:
Centre Forwards: Eusébio, Spencer, Greaves, Law, Seeler, Altafini, Coutinho, Aguas
X: Albert, S. Mazzola, Van Himst, Amancio, Jair, Simoes
Support Strikers / Offensive Midfielders: Pelé, Charlton, Rivera, Luis Suarez, Haynes
Wingers: Best, Džajić, Johnstone, Bene, Schafer, Coen Moulijn, Swart
Central Midfielders: Masopust, Voronin, Szymaniak, Blanchflower, Coluna, Gérson, Pirri
Full-Backs: Carlos Alberto, Facchetti, Armfield, Marzolini, Schnellinger
Centre-Backs: Moore, Shesternyov, Popluhar, C.Maldini, Germano,
Goalkeepers: Yashin, Banks, Gilmar, Alberto Pereira, Iribar
Great Teams:
Club:
1. Santos. 1960-1966. Because of Pelé, Santos became the most coveted scalp in football. Outside of the Intercontinental Cup, they played numerous 'friendlies' that were deadly serious competitions to see who was the best between them and European opposition. Pelé was made a literal National Treasure by the Brazilian government in 1961, which meant he was forbidden from playing for a club in any other country. At the peak of his powers, with the brilliant Coutinho as his #9 partnering forward, Pelé and Santos were the ultimate feather in the cap.
2. Inter Milan. 1962-1967. 3 Serie A titles, back-to-back European Cups and a runners-up position; the embodiment of a league to this day. Their miserly defence-first approach became the cornerstone for the Italian national team and the art of defending a lead with control, skill and counter-attacking threat became a concept in itself. Whatever defensive intent there was prior to Inter and their catenaccio became a refined school of thought afterward.
3. Benfica. 1960-1968. 5 European Cup finals whilst winning 2 of those back-to-back. Monstrous side with the equally monstrous Eusebio putting away chances other strikers could only dream of. This Benfica side was star-studded with the legendary Mario Coluna marshalling them from the centre of midfield.
3. Peñarol. 1960-1966. Peñarol and Benfica of this era were almost mirror images in terms of success and performance level. Where Benfica had Eusebio, Peñarol had Alberto Spencer, who was terrorising the Copa Libertadores' opposition to become a legend. The team went to 5 finals in 6 seasons, winning 3 of them. They also won the Intercontinental Cup twice during this period, beating the legendary Real Madrid and Benfica sides to do so.
4. Celtic. 1967-1976. All players born within 20 miles of the ground 1 European Cup; 9 league titles; turned Celtic into a dominant force in their nation at a time when Scottish football was strong.
5. Manchester United. 1967-1968. It is [a lack of] longevity, not quality that places this side where they are. Charlton and Best at their best with Law not far off. A side that should have done more.
National:
1. Brazil 1962. With Pelé injured, Brazil's other attacking craque, Garrincha, took the helm and stirred the good ship Seleção to World Cup glory in spectacular fashion. Garrincha had a tournament for the ages, which is strangely not really talked about in the manner it warrants. The deceptive quality of this team was that they were just as organised as they were individually talented. Much like Brazilian sides that have followed them, this side were adept at working the opposition into positions that favoured them whilst slowly and surely draining them of stamina and concentration during enumerable chase-the-ball sessions. When a team has individuals who can dribble, run, pass and shoot with such ease the mental and physical energy needed to stop them is considerable. Brazil ’62 were an exasperating team to play against, with or without Pelé.
2. England 1966. England's dogged, determined style wasn't beautiful to watch, neither was this side the pinnacle of English footballing prowess despite being World Cup winners - the 1970 side was better, but unfortunate to encounter the great Brazil and a more honed West Germany – but they were industrious, determined and forerunners of true graft mixed in with some talented players who were the able match of any opponent. Ramsey’s ‘Wingless Wonders’ were a nightmarishly difficult side to play against due to their tireless work ethic and the stamina to simply outwork and then overrun teams. The pressure their opponents were under to maintain composure, work-rate and focus under the waves of concerted attack was enough to see most crumble.
3. West Germany 1966. West Germany were just as dogged as England, whilst being technically superior and more tactically refined. A young man by the name of Franz Beckenbauer glided through central midfield all tournament long looking like some kind of computer simulation of how the role should be played scoring 4 goals and announcing himself on the world stage – he didn’t even like central midfield; too busy, crowded and aggressive for his liking - yet made it look easy with some of the best displays of midfield play the World Cup has ever seen. Many swore West Germany were robbed in the final, and it’s a debate that runs to this day. It’s a testament to England, and shows their resolve that they could go head-to-head with what would have been a truly worthy and renowned winner of the 1966 World Cup, which is why I believe they should be ranked above them despite being a less refined side.
4. Italy 1968-1970. Italian football forged a great reputation for itself throughout the 60’s with the famed AC Milan and then Internazionale sides lifting three European Cups in a row from 1962 to 1965 with Inter announcing an awesome, if frustrating, brand of football to the world and transferring it to the national team, adding the ultimate cream to the brew with one of the superstars of the age in Gianni Rivera of AC Milan. The two Milanese clubs provided the core of an Azzurri side primed for success. Of the age, it was a who’s who of European football’s top talent with elite players such as: Giancinto Facchetti, Sandro Mazzola, Tarcisio Burgnich, Dino Zoff, Roberto Rosato, Luigi Riva all joining the aforementioned Rivera, Lest we forget, this is a side who went on to an epic, for the ages battle with West Germany in the 1970 World Cup – it is only the accursed Brazilians and the humiliation they dished out that prevented Italy from being the very first double-major holders with the Euro Cup already in hand and the World Cup final gotten to on merit. They played in solid, controlled blocks in a style familiar to successful Italian national teams ever since with the same principles of a classic #10 being the provider and controller in-chief behind a prolific striker. It’s unfortunate for them that their era had so many extremely talented sides – their legacy has been pushed to the wayside with the passage of time and more pointedly, their crushing defeat at the hands of Brazil, but the Italians are more than worthy of their place in this list.
5. Portugal 1966. Portugal 1966 are one of few non-cup-winning national teams in this entire thread. The reason they are placed here is because of both the football they played and the adversity they overcame in the process of doing so. North Korea isn’t an opponent put forward with any kind of legion attached to them in the annuls of time, but somehow, Portugal took it upon themselves to go 3 goals down to them before a Eusebio-inspired comeback saw them score 5 in a row with the aforementioned claiming 4 for himself. It’s not this feat alone that has them ranked, but their swashbuckling, daring manner that enabled Eusebio to claim 9 goals and become the tournament top-scorer whilst displaying his legendary prowess on the grandest stage of all.
Greatest 3 players: Pelé, Eusébio, Charlton/Best
Feats and changes in decade:
- Helenio Herrera's catenaccio signals the beginning of a half century of Italian attention to defensive tactical detail. Giacinto Facchetti arguably becomes the first full-back to be single-handedly responsible for a full flank. Meanwhile, Ramsey's wingless wonders win the 1966 World Cup and the old-fashioned winger becomes an endangered species.
- Helenio Herrera also brings forth the tactic of man-marking as an organised, strategical concept, preparing both for the opposition's most threatening man whilst also maintaining a dynamic shape with the remainder of the team.
- Man-marking becomes prevalent for the next three decades.
- Helenio Herrera also brings forth and popularises the sweeping role (libero), which then takes root and becomes widespread throughout certain leagues and national teams. The sweeper had been around, in one form or another, for at least two decades prior without real terminology or concrete outlines for the position, but Herrera made the role an intrinsic component of how his team played, and with the success he had, the concept of the sweeper becomes iron clad and indelible. The sweeper of the 60's was a defense after the defense, a one-man last line, if you will. His job was to clean up any loose balls, read play (and often pre-empt the opposing play-makers actions) to be in the optimum position at all times to foil attempts to breach the backline completely. A great sweeper of the age would prove infuriating for strikers and play-makers alike and his understanding of defensive phases of play was said to be above that of generic central defenders.
- Pelé is brutally fouled and harangued out of World Cup '66. The disgusting treatment the world's star player was singled out for in this tournament prompts a change in refereeing policy the world over - off the back of his treatment from Bulgaria and then Portugal, where he was forced to play through the latter game in no condition to do anything but hobble with the world’s cameras and media pack in attendance, FIFA are forced to review the manner in which substitutions are permitted to be used – Pelé was not allowed to be substituted in 1966 because the rule had not yet been made where subs were allowed in the finals of the tournament (even though they were permitted in the qualifiers to play in the finals!) this was seen as an embarrassing shambles.
- Although substitutions had been used prior to the Pelé incidents of 1966, post-event, it became widespread across the world for a ‘free’ substitution to be made whether for tactical or injury reasons. For the first time, managers had freedom of choice to implement the substitution for a reason of their choosing, whereas prior to 1966, only an injured player could be substituted out.
- Leagues, nations and individual teams start to greatly diversify in terms of formations, tactics and the types of player they become honed in developing, or seeking to bring in, as the game of football begins a massive diversification that we are at the behest of to this day.
- Further to the above, the abundance of new formations — 4-3-3, 4-1-3-2 and even the 4-4-2 that was invented by Viktor Maslov in the late 60's, all sprout wings and take off as systems clubs set their entire ethos around - producing talent from their academies adept and nuanced in their particular schools of thought and conceptualization of how the game 'should' be played.
- Feyenoord's 4-3-3 of Ernst Happel is adopted by clubs across the Erevdivisie, Bundesliga and the Belgian First Division A as well as the national teams of each respective nation. The dividends absolutely dominating the following decade at club and national level. This 4-3-3 is popular to this day and used by some of the greatest clubs in the world.
- Brazil continue to dominate the world game and are brought to life in full technicolour glory at Mexico 1970. Their successful collaboration of a collection of no 10s provides an early forerunner of the 4-2-3-1 that would dominate the early years of the 21st century.
1960's All-Star XI
------------------------------------------------------Eusébio
---------------------------------------------------------Pelé
Džajić-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Best
----------------------------------------------------B.Charlton
-----------------------------------------------------Masopust
Facchetti----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Carlos Alberto
-----------------------------------------------Moore----------Shesternyov
-------------------------------------------------------Yashin
1970's
All Time Greatest Players:
Centre Forwards: G.Müller, Kempes, Riva, Krankl, Lubański, Heynckes
X: Cruyff, Beckenbauer, Blokhin Overath, Boniek, Keegan, Simonsen, Bettega
Support Strikers / Offensive Midfielders: Netzer, Cubillas, Bochini, Rivelino, Deyna, Antognini, Tostao,
Wingers: Rensenbrink, Keizer, Lato, Rep, Jairzinho, Bertoni
Central Midfielders: Neeskens, Van Hanegem, Breitner*, Bonhof, Bremner, Ardiles
Full-Backs: Vogts, Breitner, Krol, Suurbier, Kalz, McGrain
Centre-Backs: Figueroa, Passarella, Luis Pereira, Chumpitaz, Schwarzenbeck,
Goalkeepers: Zoff, Maier, Mazurkiewicz, Jennings, Fillol
*Breitner was both one of the greatest full-backs to play the game as well as central midfielder, when moving into the position full time later in his career.
Great Teams:
Club:
1. Ajax 1970 - 1973. 3 European Cups in a row - in running for greatest club side of all-time. One of the most famed club sides of all-time for the Rinus Michels-created Total Voetbal that is arguably the most revered single system ever developed. Ajax’s revolution actually started in 1968 off the back of a defeat to Ernst Happel’s Feyenoord (they were already league champions since 1965, though). Their 4-2-4 was schooled by the extra man advantage of the more balanced 4-3-3 of Feyenoord. Michels adopted that system, but then built on its philosophy to a point where it was undoubtedly its own entity. Johan Cruyff enabled the system to become what it was as he was adept all over the pitch and his fast ball-carrying and sharp reading of open space and windows of opportunity, left holes for team-mates to exploit wherever he went or vacated on the pitch. Ajax’s football wowed crowds across Europe and essentially became a Harlem Globetrotter–esque spectacle. Ajax were defeated by themselves – disbanding, to be precise. The maverick that was Cruyff sought pastures new and went off to Barcelona with the brilliant Johan Neeskens departing Ajax to join him just a season later. These two are literally contenders for an all-time xi throughout the history of football, so any team is going to feel the loss as they are not replaceable and so too was the case for Ajax.
2. Bayern Munich 1974-1977. 3 European Cups in a row. Ajax weren’t the only monstrous side of the decade and it’s by no means a given that even if Cruyff and Neeskens had stayed, they would have continued their dominance – Bayern Munich were the representation of West German football that was to go on to dominate the national game with the equally luminescent Franz Beckenbauer being neck-and-neck in quality with the much revered Cruyff. The lethal Gerd Müller, who is classed as one of, if not the very best, striker of all-time was as equally prolific for club as he was for country. Paul Breitner was absolute class at left-back, and in the flexi-system of Bayern’s he often found himself in central midfield, where he was comfortably of all-time standard. Bayern’s greatest strength was their ability to switch styles as a situation required. Their flexibility and nonchalant ease led to questions of whether they were giving their absolute all or just going through the gears as and when it was needed – an accusation often thrown at Beckenbauer himself, especially so over the period of a domestic campaign. Bayern’s class was undeniable and as stated, transferable as the world was reminded of their brilliance on all available stages.
3. Liverpool 1970’s. Liverpool’s period of dominance began in the 70’s and carried over into the 80’s. They won the Uefa Cup (it was a very prestigious trophy until the late 90’s) twice before going on to collect back-to-back European Cups in 1977 and 1978. This was interlaced with league titles, too. The seamless transition from dominance with Kevin Keegan, a true star of the late 70’s, to Kenny Dalglish, arguably Liverpool’s greatest ever player, was the pivotal moment throughout all of the success as it enabled it to continue in one, effortless transition from one decade straight through into another, which is a feat very few clubs have ever managed.
4. Borussia Munchengladbach. 1970-1979. The dominant Bundesliga force of the decade. Brilliant side and huge contributors to the West German national team. Without their supplementation of players, West Germany win nothing. Through modern eyes, people see this side mentioned and laugh dismissively thinking of them as a ‘nothing’ side, which couldn’t be further from the truth. Gunter Netzer, rated as one of the greatest passers and playmakers of, well, ever; Berti Vogts (the premier full-back of the '70's); Rainer Bonhor, he of, what I would rank as the most powerful shot football has seen and the clever Jupp Heynckes up front, not forgetting the mercurial 1977 Ballon d'or winning, European Cup top-scoring Allan Simonsen. Munchengladbach of the ‘70’s were a serious footballing power who won two Uefa Cups, but fell short at the final hurdle of the big one, a hurdle that would see history look upon them with fonder eyes.
5. Independiente. 1970-1975. The greatest Copa Libertadores team of all time with 4 in a row, easily a match of Europe's finest of the era. Their methods and cynicism were highly frowned upon by the European sides who played them with Cruyff famously refusing to ever contest a game in Argentina again after the rough-housing and death threats he received in Buenos Aires during the 1972 Intercontinental Cup. Still, Bochini was a genius and Independiente, perhaps the most villainous side in the thread (beings as Leeds of the 70’s didn’t make the cut), were a very good side… perhaps misunderstood or in need of a hug.
5. Nottingham Forest. 1977-1980. The improbable team who went on to win back-to-back European Cups, on merit. Brian Clough’s greatest triumph was taking Nottingham Forest from the old English 2nd Division (now known as the Championship) to the heights of the 1st Division and then on to winning the European Cup not once, but twice, in a row – yes, for two years running, Nottingham Forest were the kings of Europe, proving the first trophy was no fluke. Forest played a hard-working 4-4-2 that relied upon tireless graft, nuanced movement and overwhelming wing-play. Their football was clean, tidy and effective, and it wasn’t mindless running as everything they did had a purpose. Forest were such a dominant side that they went on a 42-game unbeaten run, which is not talked about today. The sharp striker, Trevor Francis, a record-breaking £1m signing, was a clever reader of the game and opportunities and would observe the movement of his team-mates studiously, aiming to profit off openings and chances before opposing defenders even realised they were there. A slick side who are not out of place in a greatest clubs of the decade list for the 1970’s.
National:
1. Brazil 1970. Often stated as the best national team of all time. With their unprecedented ‘five 10’s’ Brazil produce a level of football that has come to define them as a nation. They were laughed at for thinking they could enter and compete in a tournament with no regard for tactical, positional and personnel discipline – fielding not one, not two, not three, not even four, but five traditional #10’s in one side would be seen as risible in any era at any club at any level of competition. To do so, on the greatest stage of all is downright insulting, right? Try and conceptualise five #10’s at your club being fielded all across the attacking positions in the face of all your strongest rivals. Then imagine it being done at the business end of the season or competition. Farcical, no? Brazil bucked every notion and found a way to get every ounce of creative talent out of five players who had no right to be fielded simultaneously. In logical parlance, two #10’s really is pushing it, five? That doesn’t even look realistic in a fantasy all-time line-up and is generally dismissed out of the gate. It’s not just the football this team played that automatically makes them one of, if not the best, ever; it’s the sheer confidence and daring to try and make it work; the humiliating way they defeated opponents far and wide; and the certainty of purpose the entire team had in what they were doing. A lot of teams who were truly great iterations for their nation (Peru, Uruguay, England and Italy) were put to the sword and are now forgotten men by this side. They capped it all with their final goal of the tournament – one that is considered the best team goal ever scored on the greatest stage there is.
2. West Germany 1972. Often stated as the most aesthetically impressive West German side ever. A sublime side with Netzer at his peak. As a unit, their play was both sumptuous and seamless, and on an individual level, it was extremely difficult to best the opposing man one-on-one. They worked hard for each other in both attack and defense and could control the pace and stylings of a game at will.
3. West Germany 1974. Often stated as the best German side ever. A harder working team than the ’72 side, but not as aesthetically pleasing due to the removal of Netzer first and foremost. The principles of Total Voetbal had not escaped the Germans, and although theirs was not as seamless as that of the Netherlands, it was equally - no, more, given they were the winners - as effective, and, arguably more defensively flexible given the incredible man-marking and game reading qualities of Bertie Vogts who could change the system to a 3-man, 4-man or free-marker system on command. Der Bomber, Gerd Müller was at his peak during World Cup ’74, which made this team absolutely lethal in front of goal. If you are compelled to watch any footage of them, you will note the sheer class and air of foreboding confidence that oozes out of this side. There’s no question they should be in the hat and considered a match for any other side listed in this thread.
4. Holland 1974-1978. The best Dutch sides of all-time. You can ask ten different people who was better between the ’74 side and the West German side that bested them and come back with more favouring Holland – there’s no doubt at all that Holland 1974 would be heralded as the greater of the two if they won the World Cup because their Total Voetbal was the more fluid; more fun and fantastical; the more conceptually accurate and a very clear showing that theirs was the nation of that style’s genesis. Johan Cruyff and co. were sublime throughout the ’74 World Cup, and in any other decade, a side of such quality would not sit in fourth position. Unfortunately, this is the era of aesthetic wonder with four sides in a row who have been deemed the best national teams of all-time at one time or another contesting slots. In 1978, Holland had to contest the World Cup in Argentina – a nation Cruyff and Ajax had already had major problems with – on and off the pitch. The tournament hosts were marred with talk of corruption and match-fixing as well as favourable refereeing decisions going their way. The Dutch felt they were on a hiding to nothing and were literally robbed of the trophy, as in, there was no way they were going to be allowed to win it. This is all officially unproven and never will be, I would wager. People watch the tournament and educate themselves before drawing their conclusions. Regardless, Holland’s football in ’78, even without Cruyff, was exceptional.
5. Czechoslovakia 1976. Slick, understated side, forgotten in the passage of time. The last slot here could easily go to Italy ’70, West Germany ’70 or even Argentina ’78. The 70’s produced a lot of incredible footballing sides, but this Czechoslovakian side was no different, and they won their Euro trophy in a manner befitting the decade. West Germany were on to be a 3-time major winner; Holland, as stated previously, were a legendary team who got to two World Cup finals in a row (the ’76 iteration still had Cruyff leading them, too!) – not-so-plucky Czechoslovakia beat them both, in succession, playing beautiful football and even scoring beautiful penalties.
Greatest 3 players: Cruyff, Beckenbauer, G.Muller
Feats and changes in decade:
- Both West Germany and Holland reap the benefit of professionalization in the 1950s and 1960s to dominate the European and world game for much of the decade.
- This is the decade of thought, creativity and rebellion. Players question managers and have their say in how football should be played. In order to set a system up, rules and a solid construct must be adhered to, in order to deconstruct a system, you must understand how and why it works - as the 60's produced countless systems that haven't changed in 50 years, the 70"s brought along the tactical and formation counter-measures to stop and/or exploit them.
- Individualism within a team construct is married together in a way that has not been seen before the ‘70’s.
- Rinus Michels builds on Ernst Happels 4-3-3 system and creates Total Voetbal. A system held in the highest regard to this day.
- Ajax and Holland's Total Voetbal introduced many of the concepts - flexibility, fluidity, universalism and pressing - that would become central principles of the modern game. The 4-3-3 and the false 9 become well established. Johan Cruyff and Franz Beckenbauer are recognised as the greatest players of the decade and perhaps the first whose most compelling strength was their intelligence and tactical understanding of the game.
- Valeriy Lobanovskiy's Dynamo Kiev and latterly USSR sides embrace the high intensity, manipulation of space and attention to detail principles that are features of the current game.
- Sweepers permeate the club and national game. Unlike the generic sweeper of the '60's, the sweeper, in this stage of role maturation is now a specialised position reserved for a unique type of player; generally neither a centre-back nor midfielder, but something in-between. In the '70's, the role diversified as it was used by numerous teams as both a defensive and offensive utility, dependent on managerial ethos. The sweeper was generally 'the thinking man' of the team with greater vision, distribution ability and composure than seen in such a deep position in teams before the role emerged. Much like quarter-backs in American football, the sweeper was often protected by a defender or defenders commonly referred to as 'stoppers' (dependent on whether it was a 3-man - 2 stoppers either side of the sweeper, or 4-man backline - sweeper playing behind the stopper) and sometimes even midfielders. Either way, the sweeper played dead centre of a host of defenders, midfielders or both and. as the name suggests 'swept' up or read the game and acted accordingly often having great influence on both the flow and direction a game went in. On rare occasions, a truly masterful player would be play the role, one whom would not look out of place in central or even attacking midfield. This type of sweeper not only had the qualities of the aforementioned sweepers, but could also dribble, shoot, combination pass and join attacks from deep as and when they opted to. These kind of sweepers were a problem tactically for the opposition, as their initial deep position and late runs often meant they were 'unseen' until it was too late in a concept commonly referred to as 'ghosting'. The greatest sweepers of the age were prolific scorers, play-makers, assisters or second assisters and wreaked havoc due to their illusive traits and intelligence.
- For the first time ever, tactical substitutions are permitted at the World Cup. In 1970, nations were free to take off a non-injured player of their choosing.
- Ken Aston’s inventions: the yellow and red card, are implemented for the first time at the World Cup of 1970. Prior to this, players were verbally or manually shown reprimand. The use of cards transcended language and its barriers and gave all players, staff and viewing audiences clear and concise detailing of the reprimand issued. From stern tellings off and negatively wagged fingers to the production of yellow and red cards, this was a pivotal point for attackers and defenders alike. A lot of gamesmanship and ‘misunderstanding’ is removed from the game with the event of the yellow and red card.
- Brand advertising is introduced. The famed 3-stripes adorn West Germany and Holland’s kits. Johan Cruyff famously refuses to wear the 3 stripes (because he is sponsored by Puma) and instead runs out in a bespoke two striped kit for his national team. Commercially sponsored kits are in their fledgling stage of development.
- The ‘Cruyff turn’ becomes an institution in the sport, taught to children in academies as part of their curriculum. A move so regaled, it becomes an intrinsic tool for anyone skilled enough to use and incorporate it in their game.
- Rivelino’s ‘flick-flack’ also takes the same path, albeit to a lesser extent.
1970's All-Star XI
-------------------------------------------------------G.Müller
---------------Cruijff----------------------------------------------------------------------Rensenbrink
--------------------------------------------------------Netzer
--------------------------------Van Hanegem----------------------Neeskens
Breitner--------------------------------------------Figueroa------------------------------------------Vogts
----------------------------------------------------Beckenbauer
--------------------------------------------------------Zoff
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