Vicente Calderón

Vicente Calderón Pérez-Cavada (born May 27, 1913 in Torrelavega , Cantabria , † March 24, 1987 in Madrid ) was a businessman and long-time president of the Spanish football club Atlético Madrid .

Life

Vicente Calderón was born in Torrelavega in northern Spain in 1913. At the age of 20 he became an orphan and kept himself afloat with various jobs. It was only after several years that he was able to establish himself as a successful businessman in the Madrid business world. The city of Gandia was also essential to its success. Calderón had many business ties with the city and was buried in that city after suffering a heart attack on March 24, 1987 and passing away.

Atlético Madrid

Vicente Calderón took over the office of president on January 21, 1964 after his predecessor, Javier Barroso , resigned due to the high debt of the club. He was officially confirmed in office two months later. Calderón pushed ahead with the construction of the new stadium after construction was interrupted due to the acute financial problems. Two years later, on October 2, 1966, the stadium was officially opened. In the 1970s, at Calderón's insistence, the stadium was expanded several times. During his presidency in 1971 the stadium was renamed from “Estadio del Manzanares” to “ Estadio Vicente Calderón ”.

In Calderón's first term of office four Spanish championship titles could be won. In addition, Atlético won the Spanish Cup three times . Calderón's successful tenure ended in 1980.

The club lost stability and in the following two years there were four different club presidents, whereupon Calderón decided to serve as president of Atlético Madrid one more time. He was re-elected president in 1982 with a large majority. In his second term in office only one more Copa del Rey title was added. On March 24, 1987, Calderón died of a heart attack as the incumbent president of Atlético Madrid.