Danny Bergara Dies

Danny Bergara passes away

BeesMad is saddened to learn of the death of coach Danny Bergara at the age of 64, following a short illness.

Uruguayan-born Bergara began his coaching career with Luton Town's reserves before he followed Harry Haslam from Luton to Sheffield United in January 1978. Bergara took up the role of Assistant Manager and Head of Coaching at Bramall Lane.

Bergara retained that role throughout United's 1978/79 campaign in Division Two and the Blades' season in Division Three in 1979/80.

In July 1980, United signed Martin Peters, the World Cup hero of 1966, as player-coach with a view to him eventually becoming manager and, when Haslam stepped down from the manager's post at the Lane in January 1981, Peters took charge. Bergara was given responsibility for Youth Development.

Bergara is widely regarded as playing a pivotal role in United's surprise capture of World Cup-winning Argentinean international Alex Sabella from River Plate in the summer of 1978.

A former Mallorca and Sevilla player, who won a handful of caps for Uruguay at Under-21 level, had spells in charge of Rochdale, Rotherham and Doncaster.

His most successful spell in management came at Stockport County, where he was instrumental in the Hatters' rise to the second tier of English football.

Bergara, who is thought to be the first foreign manager to take over an English League club, also managed the Brunei national team and occupied coaching roles with England's Under-18 and Under-20 sides. Most recently he was associated with Sunderland.