René Houseman

René Orlando Houseman (19 July 1953 – 22 March 2018), nicknamed Loco,[1] was an Argentine footballer, who played as a right winger. At the beginning of his career, Houseman was considered successor of legendary winger Omar Corbatta,[1] being still regarded by many sports journalists as one of the best Argentine wingers ever.[2]

René Houseman
Houseman with Argentina in 1978
Personal information
Full name René Orlando Houseman
Date of birth (1953-07-19)19 July 1953
Place of birth La Banda, Argentina
Date of death 22 March 2018(2018-03-22) (aged 64)
Place of death Buenos Aires, Argentina
Height 1.65 m (5 ft 5 in)
Position(s) Midfielder
Number 7
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1971–1973 Defensores de Belgrano 38 (16)
1973–1980 Huracán 266 (108)
1981 River Plate 12 (1)
1982 Colo-Colo 18 (3)
1983 Amazulu ? (?)
1984 Independiente 3 (0)
1985 Excursionistas 1 (0)
Total 338 (128)
National team
1973–1979 Argentina 55 (13)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of July 2007

An extraordinarily skilled player, Houseman was characterised by his outstanding dribbling ability, speed and mischief into the field.[1]

Club career
Houseman dribbling while playing for Huracán, 1973

Houseman was born in La Banda, Santiago del Estero Province.[2] Despite having started his career at Club Atlético Excursionistas youth divisions, Houseman debuted professionally playing for Excursionistas's arch-rival Defensores de Belgrano, where he won its first title, the Primera C championship in 1971.[3] At the beginning of 1973, as a recommendation by manager César Menotti, he was hired by Club Atlético Huracán.

Mother, don't worry because these legs will save you

— Houseman to his mother at the beginning of his career[4]

Houseman was a keyplayer of the Huracán team that won the 1973 Metropolitano championship. Managed by Menotti, that squad is widely regarded as one of the best Argentine teams ever, where Houseman played along with notable players such as Miguel Brindisi, Carlos Babington and Omar Larrosa.[5][6]

Houseman is a mixture of Maradona and Garrincha

— César Menotti[4]

After leaving Huracán in 1980, Houseman spent a short time in River Plate (only one season, 1981), then moving to Chile to play for Colo Colo and then to South Africa when he joined AmaZulu F.C..

In 1984 he returned to Argentina to play for Independiente but he only played 3 matches in total. Nevertheless, Houseman was part of the roster that won the Libertadores and Intercontinental Cups that year.

Houseman retired from football in 1985, playing for his first club, Excursionistas, a match v. Boca Juniors.[2][4]

International career
Houseman (right) kicking the ball while Italian defender Tarcisio Burgnich tries to stop him, at the 1974 FIFA World Cup

During his international career Houseman also played for the Argentina national team and participated at the 1974 FIFA World Cup, where he scored three goals. His greatest achievement in football was being a member of the 1978 FIFA World Cup winning team and scoring in the 6–0 win over Peru.

Post retirement

Houseman was part of the coaching staff lead by Angel Cappa that managed Huracán between 2008 and 2009. He said he was never paid for his services.[4]

Personal life

Houseman's career was cut short due to problems with alcoholism, with which he struggled for most of his life.[7] Houseman even scored a goal versus River Plate in which he claims he doesn't remember it as he was drunk throughout that game. In 2017, it was revealed that Houseman had tongue cancer. The Argentine Football Association announced that it would help him to afford medical treatment.[8]

Houseman died on 22 March 2018 after a long battle with cancer, eight days after the death of his 1978 teammate, Ruben Galvan.[9]

Honours

Club
Defensores de Belgrano
Huracán
Independiente

International
Argentina

Friendly

References
  1. Idolos de la Selección: René Houseman on El Grafico, 7 May 2014
  2. Uno de los últimos wines del fútbol argentino Houseman recibió el cariño de los chaqueños, Diario Norte, 21 Mar 2013
  3. "Club Atlético Defensores de Belgrano". Sitio Web Oficial del Club Atlético Defensores de Belgrano. 15 December 2016. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  4. El partido que el Loco Houseman nunca quiso jugar, TN, 23 May 2014
  5. Huracán 73 on El Gráfico, 2008
  6. El fútbol hecho fantasía, Clarín, 7 Sep 2002
  7. El alcohol, un problema para los que juegan con la número 7 by Guido Piotrkowskion Minuto Uno
  8. La AFA ayudará a René Houseman en el tratamiento al que se someterá por cáncer de lengua, La Nación, 28 Oct 2017
  9. https://www.espn.co.uk/football/argentina/story/3428399/rene-houseman-dies-at-64
  10. "Championship Cup — Campeonato Metropolitano — 1973". Prepared and maintained by Javier Roimiser for the Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. 2 October 2005. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  11. "Copa Libertadores de América 1984". Prepared and maintained by John Beuker and Pablo Ciullini for the Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. 7 March 2013. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  12. "World Cup Champions Squads 1930–2014". Prepared and maintained by Gwidon Naskrent, Roberto Di Maggio and José Luis Pierrend for the Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. 27 July 2014. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
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