René Orlando Houseman (19 July 1953 – 22 March 2018), nicknamed Loco, was an Argentine footballer, who played as a right winger. At the beginning of his career, Houseman was considered a successor to well-known winger Omar Corbatta,Idolos de la Selección: René Houseman on El Grafico, 7 May 2014 being still regarded by many sports journalists as one of the best wingers ever.
Houseman was characterised by his notable dribbling ability speed, and mischief in the field.
Club career
Houseman was born in La Banda, Santiago del Estero Province. 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. At the beginning of 1973, as a recommendation by manager César Menotti, he was hired by Huracán.
Houseman was a key player of the Huracán team that won the 1973 Metropolitano championship. Managed by Menotti, that squad is where Houseman played along with various notable players such as Miguel Brindisi, Carlos Babington and Omar Larrosa.Huracán 73 on El Gráfico, 2008El fútbol hecho fantasía, Clarín, 7 September 2002
After leaving Huracán in 1980, Houseman spent a short time in River Plate (one season, 1981), then moving to Chile to play for Colo Colo and then to South Africa when he joined AmaZulu.
In 1984, he returned to Argentina to play for Independiente, but he only played three 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, in a match versus Boca Juniors.Uno de los últimos wines del fútbol argentino Houseman recibió el cariño de los chaqueños, Diario Norte, 21 March 2013El partido que el Loco Houseman nunca quiso jugar, TN, 23 May 2014
International career
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 led by Ángel Cappa that managed Huracán between 2008 and 2009. He said he was never paid for his services.
Personal life Houseman's career was cut short due to problems with alcoholism, with which he struggled for most of his life.El alcohol, un problema para los que juegan con la número 7 by Guido Piotrkowskion Minuto Uno Houseman scored a goal versus River Plate which he later claimed not to remember 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.La AFA ayudará a René Houseman en el tratamiento al que se someterá por cáncer de lengua, La Nación, 28 October 2017
Houseman died on 22 March 2018 after a long battle with cancer, eight days after the death of his 1978 teammate, Rubén Galván.
Honours Club Defensores de Belgrano Primera C: 1972
Huracán Primera División: 1973 Metropolitano; runner-up: 1975 Metropolitano, 1976 Metropolitano
Colo-Colo Copa Chile: 1982
Independiente Copa Libertadores: 1984 Intercontinental Cup: 1984
International Argentina FIFA World Cup: 1978 Copa Newton: 1975, 1976 Copa Lipton: 1976 Copa Félix Bogado: 1976 Copa Ramón Castilla: 1976, 1978
References
External links