Two years without Pedro Ferrándiz
On 7 July 2022, a Real Madrid and world basketball legend passed away.
Two years ago today, Pedro Ferrándiz passed away, the most decorated coach in the history of the Real Madrid basketball team and a legend of the sport on a worldwide level. The Alicante-born coach, who was 93 years old at the time, defined an era and guided Real Madrid to 27 trophies. (4 European Cups, 12 LaLiga titles and 11 Copas de España trophies).
In 1959 he took charge of the first team after his success in the club's youth teams and until 1975, he alternated between the bench and the coaching department. During the 13 seasons that he coached the Madrid side, he managed 490 matches and won 414. He went 88 matches without losing between 1971 and 1975. Throughout his career, he displayed his brilliance and capacity for innovation and was a pioneer in going to the United States to sign stars such as Hightower, Clifford Luyk, Brabender and Walter Szczerbiak. He also staged moments of basketball history, such as ordering a free basket in a European Cup game in Varese.
Recognition
Ferrándiz was coach of the Spanish national team (1964-65) and between 1986 and 1997 he was head of the basketball section of Real Madrid in two different periods. His contribution to the evolution of world basketball was recognised with distinctions such as the Grand Cross of the Royal Order of Sports Merit, the Collar of the Olympic Order and his inclusion in the United States Hall of Fame and the FIBA Hall of Fame. In addition, in February 2017, he was named an honorary member of Real Madrid.