Italian media have announced that Italy’s 1982 World Cup-winning coach Enzo Bearzot, photo, died in Milan aged 83 yesterday.

Bearzot had been seriously ill for several years and will be survived by his wife Luisa, son Glauco and daughter Cinzia ANSA reported.

Bearzot became Italy coach in 1975 and led the team at the 1978, 1982 and 1986 World Cups.

At the 1982 World Cup in Spain, Italy beat West Germany 3-1 in the final, having recovered from a slow start to beat Argentina and Brazil in the second round and Poland in the semifinals.

Paolo Rossi returned from a two-year ban for his part in a match-fixing scandal to finish the tournament as leading goalscorer with six.

“Enzo Bearzot was one of Italy’s greatest ever Italians and I have no doubt about that,” Rossi told ANSA. “He was like a father to me and without him I would never have achieved what I did.”

Inter defender Giuseppe Bergomi was only 18 years old at the 1982 World Cup, but was a key part of Italy’s defence, alongside Gaetano Scirea, Claudio Gentile and Antonio Cabrini.

“He was the type of coach that gave you massive confidence in yourself,” Bergomi told Sky Sport Italia. “He helped me develop as a player and knew how to get the best out of his team.”

Bearzot was born in Aiello in Italy’s northeast on 27 September, 1927 and played in midfield for Inter, Catania and Torino and was capped once for Italy.

Before taking the Italy job he was coach of Italy’s under-23 team from 1969 until 1975.

Under Bearzot Italy finished fourth at the 1978 World Cup and 1980 European Championships.

After failing to qualify for the 1984 European Championships Bearzot was criticised for placing too much faith in the stars of the 1982 triumph for the 1986 World Cup in Mexico.

With players such as Marco Tardelli, Bruno Conti and Scirea past their best the defending champion fell to France in the round of 16.

Bearzot resigned following the defeat having coached Italy for 104 matches.

He returned to the Italian football association in 2002 as president of its technical sector, a post he held until 2005.