Otto Krappan (11 October 1886 – 2 February 1942) was a German professional football manager who worked extensively in Italian football during the interwar period and World II.
Early life
Krappan was born in Nagyszeben, then part of Austria‑Hungary (present‑day Sibiu, Romania). Details about his family background and early education are not widely documented.
Managerial career
Krappan began his coaching career in Italy in the early 1920s. His managerial appointments included:
| Years | Club |
|---|---|
| 1923–1926 | Udinese Calcio |
| 1927–1932 | A.C. Monfalcone |
| 1932–1933 | A.C. Legnano |
| 1933–1934 | Vicenza Calcio |
| 1934–1935 | U.S. Alessandria Calcio 1912 |
| 1935–1936 | Calcio Lecco 1912 |
| 1936–1937 | A.S. Pro Gorizia |
| 1937–1939 | Cosenza Calcio 1914 |
| 1939–1940 | U.S. Cremonese |
| 1940–1941 | U.S. Alessandria Calcio 1912 (second spell) |
| 1941–1942 | Palermo‑Juve (now U.S. Città di Palermo) |
During his tenure, Krappan was noted for coaching a number of clubs across Serie A and Serie B, contributing to the development of Italian football tactics in the era.
Death
Krappan died on 2 February 1942 in Palermo, Italy, at the age of 55.
Legacy
While not among the most celebrated figures in football history, Krappan is recognized for being one of the early foreign coaches to manage multiple Italian clubs, and for his role in the cross‑national exchange of football knowledge during a formative period for the sport.
References: Wikipedia entry on Otto Krappan; Transfermarkt and Worldfootball.net managerial records.
