Only Pep Guardiola and Johan Cruyff have won more at Barcelona than forgotten Englishman inducted into Hall of Fame
Jack Greenwell, Barcelona’s longest-serving manager, has been posthumously inducted into the Football Hall of Fame.
The English pioneer enjoyed two successful spells in charge of the Spanish side from 1913 to 1923, before returning eight years later for two seasons.
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Only Pep Guardiola and Johan Cruyff have won more as Barca boss, with the highly decorated Greenwell having won five Catalan championships and two Copa del Rey titles.
Greenwell, who died aged 58 in 1942, oversaw 492 matches as Blaugrana head coach, while also founding the club’s women’s team.
Known as one of the founders of ‘Tiki-Taka’ football, Greenwell joined Barça as player/manager in 1913 after winning the Sir Thomas Lipton Trophy – nicknamed the first World Cup – with West Auckland in 1909.
As a player, he also won the Catalan championship title twice, before hanging up his boots in 1916.
He also won the Copa del Rey in charge of Espanyol, while also winning state titles at Valencia and Mallorca.
The Spanish Civil War of 1936 caused Greenwell to flee Spain, where he won the Copa America with Peru in 1939.
His incredible achievements led to his eventual induction into the National Football Museum Hall of Fame.
Commenting on the legendary manager, CEO Tim Desmond said: “Greenwell has undoubtedly played a big role in the globalization and evolution of football as we know it today, and the Museum is delighted to inducted into the Hall of Fame.
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“His legacy is an inspiration to football fans around the world and it is our role to help shine a light on these amazing stories linked to this beautiful game.”
As for Barcelona, they were quick to pay tribute to Greenwell, insisting his legacy is ingrained in the club’s DNA.
A Barca statement said: “His methodology has improved the standard of football across the continent.
“And also laid the foundation stone for what, years later, would become FC Barcelona’s style of possession football, recognized throughout the world.”
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