Ernst Ocwirk

Ernst Ocwirk (7 March 1926 – 23 January 1980) was an Austrian football player and coach. He played as midfielder mainly for FK Austria Wien in Austria and U.C. Sampdoria Genua  in Italy. He was also a player of the Austrian national football team. He is regarded as one of the greatest Austrian footballers of all time. 

Nicknamed Clockwork by the British for his midfield consistency, as well as the nickname being suggested by his surname, he is often cited as the last of the old-fashioned attacking centre-halves; he was known for his aesthetic and technical style of playing, his heading ability, excellent timing (both in offensive and defensive tasks) and his passing range; particularly his long passing ability. The fans loved him for his modest and fair personality. The international media of the era saw Ocwirk as "the best centerhalf in the world". He is considered one of the greatest central midfielders of all time.

Club career
Ocwirk began his career as a striker. He joined his first club, the local FC Stadlau, in 1938. He then played for Floridsdorfer AC, where he was spotted by former Austrian international Josef Smistik, who moved Ocwirk to centre midfield. Smistik tried to bring him to his former team, Rapid Wien, but it was FK Austria who won the race and signed him in 1947. With Austria he won five Austrian League championships and three domestic cups.

1956 he went to Sampdoriaand was  the second Austrian footballer ever to play in Seria A after Engelbert König. Ocwirk played five seasons at the Genova club. He also became the captain. In 1961  he returned to FK Austria and played there his last season. He was winning in 1961–62.

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

International career
Ocwirk played 62 caps matches and scored six goals for Austria.Appearances for Austrian National Team – RSSSF  He made his debut  in 1945 and played at the 1948 Olympic Games in London.
At the 1954 World Cup he was captain of Austria and played in all five of his team matches. He scored two goals during the tournament: one in the memorable quarter-final against hosts Switzerland, and the 3–1 in the third-place match against reigning champions Uruguay.Record at FIFA Tournaments – FIFA
International statistics
Transfermarkt.at 
+ Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoals  Austria 1945201947111948801949701950711951601952601953511954102195561195630196210Total 626

Scores and results list Austria's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Ocwirk goal.

+ List of international goals scored by Ernst OcwirkNo.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition19 November 1947  Prater Stadion,  Vienna, Austria  2-05-1   Friendly match219 March 1950 Prater Stadion,  Vienna, Austria      1-03-3    Svehla-Cup327 September 1953  Prater Stadion,   Vienna, Austria     1-09-1 Friendly match426 June 1954Stade Olympique de La Pontaise,  Lausanne, Switzerland    4-37-5    1954 FIFA World Cup53 July 1954   Hardturm,   Zürich, Switzerland    3-13-1  1954 FIFA World Cup619 May 1955Prater Stadion,  Vienna, Austria    1-31-3  Friendly match

Coaching career
After retiring from playing, Ocwirk became a manager.  Sampdoria was the first team he coached   from 1962 to 1965. He also managed  1. FC Köln one year whre he reached final of the DFB Cup. Before the time in Germany he managed his former club FK Austria Wien. After his year in Germany he trained VfB Admira Wacker Mödling.

Death
He died in January 1980 of multiple sclerosis  in Klein-Pöchlarn, Lower Austria.

Honours
Austria Wien
 Austrian Football Bundesliga: 1949, 1950, 1953, 1962, 1963
 Austrian Cup: 1948, 1949, 1962

Austria
 FIFA World Cup third place: 1954

Individual
 FIFA World Cup All-Star Team: 1954

References

Other websites

 FIFA
 Profile – FK Austria
 Player profile – Austria Archive
 UEFA


Category:1926 births
Category:1980 deaths
Category:Association football midfielders
Category:Austrian footballers
Category:Players of the Austrian national football team
Category:1954 FIFA World Cup players
Category:Austrian football managers
Category:FK Austria Wien managers
Category:1. FC Köln managers
Category:FC Admira Wacker Mödling managers
Category:Deaths from multiple sclerosis
Category:FK Austria Wien players
Category:Austrian football champions
Category:Austrian football midfielders
Category:Sportspeople from Vienna