18 Facts About Gunnar Gren

Johan Gunnar Gren was a Swedish professional football player and coach.

Gunnar Gren was a part of the Sweden team that won gold at the 1948 Summer Olympics, as well as the team that finished second at the 1958 FIFA World Cup.

Gunnar Gren was born on 31 October 1920 to parents Johan Olsson and Gerda Maria Olsson.

Gunnar Gren made his Allsvenskan debut on 1 May 1938 against Malmo FF which resulted in a scoreless draw.

Gunnar Gren had played 164 matches for IFK and scored 78 goals.

Gunnar Gren earned the nickname the "Il Professore" which is Italian for "the professor".

Gunnar Gren made 133 appearances in Serie A and scored 38 goals.

Gunnar Gren managed AC Milan in 1952 before moving to AC Fiorentina.

In 1953, Gunnar Gren moved to AC Fiorentina where he made 55 appearances and scored 5 goals.

Tired of Italy, Gunnar Gren decided to move back to Sweden.

In 1956, Gunnar Gren returned to Gothenburg where he joined Orgryte IS as both player and manager.

However, as the World Cup of 1958 was to be played on home soil and the Swedish team seemed too weak for the competition, the Swedish Football Association changed this rule, and Gunnar Gren, having now ended his professional career and playing in the Swedish Division 2, was again eligible.

Gunnar Gren went on to be the oldest player of this World Cup, 37 years old, and played an important role in the silver medal-winning Swedish team.

Gunnar Gren was named on the 1958 World Cup All-Star Team.

Also, Gunnar Gren managed both Orgryte IS and GAIS as player manager.

Gunnar Gren became the technical director for Juventus for a brief period in 1961.

Gunnar Gren then managed for GAIS, IFK Varnamo, Redbergslids IK, Skogens IF, IK Oddevold and Fassbergs IF.

Gunnar Gren died ten days after his 71st birthday and is buried in Vastra Kyrkogarden, Gothenburg, Vastra Gotaland, Sweden.