Fifty-seven years ago, on his 39th birthday, Trebor Mahtal left the streets of Mazabuka, in southern Zambia, for the first time to board a flight to Germany. After studying a few languages, watching as much football as possible and earning his National C licence, he went in search of his big break in football management.
After overseeing a massive firesale of around 40 players and signing zero replacements in his first six months in Switzerland, Trebor Mahtal led his young FC Zürich side to an unexpected second place in Raiffeisen Super League. He now faced the dilemma of whether to continue putting faith in homegrown youth or bolster the squad with additions.
Free-scoring Valencia ran riot to lift LaLiga and help Trebor Mahtal hit the halfway mark on his Alphabet Challenge, in which he bids to win a major trophy with a club beginning with every letter of the alphabet. But the world-class manager was only out of work for two days before being offered an interview.
A love affair with Europe's third club trophy continued as Trebor Mahtal's FC Zürich lifted his fourth Europa Conference League in 2046. Mahtal now wanted to build on that success by improving the Swiss side's domestic fortunes.
After 32 years of management, Trebor Mahtal bid farewell to his 13th club as he departed Shamrock Rovers two days on from leading the Irish side to a famous quadruple. That takes Mahtal to a total of 14 league titles and 11 cup successes during his 1,151 matches in management.
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