13 Facts About Ernst Ocwirk

Ernst Ocwirk was an Austrian football player and coach.

Ernst Ocwirk spent the majority of his playing and coaching years between Austria and Italy, being both player and manager for FK Austria Vienna and Serie A club Sampdoria.

Ernst Ocwirk went on to become a member of the Austria national team, which he led to a third-place finish at the 1954 World Cup as its captain.

Ernst Ocwirk is considered one of the greatest central midfielders of all time.

Ernst Ocwirk joined his first club, the local FC Stadlau, in 1938.

Ernst Ocwirk then played for Floridsdorfer AC, where he was spotted by former Austrian international Josef Smistik, who moved Ocwirk to centre midfield.

Ernst Ocwirk remained the last Austrian in Serie A until 1980, when Herbert Prohaska played for Inter Milan.

Ernst Ocwirk was chosen in Austria's Team of the Century in 2001.

Ernst Ocwirk won 62 caps and scored six goals for his country.

Ernst Ocwirk made his debut for his country in 1945 before appearing at the 1948 Olympic Games in London.

At the 1954 World Cup, Ernst Ocwirk captained Austria and played in all five of his team matches, helping it achieve its best ever World Cup finish, third place.

Immediately after retiring from playing, Ernst Ocwirk became a manager, and Sampdoria was the first team he coached, from 1962 to 1965.

Ernst Ocwirk's death occurred on the same date that Matthias Sindelar died 41 years before.