Victorio Nicolás Cocco (born 23 March 1946 in Santa Fe, Argentina) is an Argentine former professional footballer and football manager. He played primarily as a central midfielder and is noted for his successful spells with several Argentine clubs, as well as periods in Spain and Colombia, and for representing the Argentina national team.
Playing career
Cocco began his senior career with Unión de Santa Fe (1964–1967), making 136 appearances and scoring 11 goals, and helped the club win the Argentine second‑division championship in 1966, securing promotion to the Primera División. In 1968 he transferred to San Lorenzo, where he became a key player, accumulating 194 caps and 49 goals through 1974. During his tenure, San Lorenzo achieved four Argentine league titles: the 1968 Metropolitano (an unbeaten campaign), the 1972 Metropolitano and Nacional (both unbeaten), and the 1974 Nacional. He is one of only five players to have won four league championships with San Lorenzo.
After leaving San Lorenzo, Cocco played for Deportivo La Coruña in Spain (1975, 21 appearances, 7 goals), River Plate (1976, 14 appearances, 1 goal), and Club Atlético Atlanta (1977, 23 appearances, 4 goals). He then had brief spells with Boca Juniors (1978, 12 appearances, 2 goals) and Cúcuta Deportivo in Colombia (1979). Internationally, Cocco earned six caps for the Argentina national team between 1968 and 1974, scoring once.
Managerial career
While still a player, Cocco assumed a player‑manager role at Atlanta during the 1977 Metropolitano. He later managed several clubs, including multiple tenures at San Lorenzo (1981), Atlanta (1982, 1985–1986), Racing de Córdoba (1983), Belgrano de Córdoba (1984–1985, 1992–1993), Colón de Santa Fe (1987), Tigre (1989), and Gimnasia y Tiro de Salta (1994). His managerial record includes guiding teams in both the Argentine Primera División and lower divisions.
Honours (player)
| Season | Club | Title |
|---|---|---|
| 1966 | Unión de Santa Fe | Argentine 2nd Division (Primera B Nacional) |
| 1968 | San Lorenzo | Metropolitano (Primera División) – unbeaten |
| 1972 | San Lorenzo | Metropolitano (Primera División) – unbeaten |
| 1972 | San Lorenzo | Nacional (Primera División) – unbeaten |
| 1974 | San Lorenzo | Nacional (Primera División) |
Personal life
Cocco has been married three times and is the father of four children.
Legacy
Victorio Cocco is remembered for his contributions to San Lorenzo’s historic unbeaten title seasons and for his versatility as both a player and manager across several South American and European clubs.