MILAN, Dec 22: Enzo Bearzot, who coached Italy to its first World Cup triumph in 44 years in 1982, died in Milan on Tuesday aged 83 after being ill for several years.

Bearzot became Italy coach in 1975 and led the team at the 1978, 1982 and 1986 World Cups.

At the 1982 World Cup in Spain, Italy beat West Germany 3-1 in the final, after defeating Argentina and Brazil in the second round and Poland in the semi-finals. It was Italy's third World Cup title following success in 1934 and '38. Italy won a fourth in 2006.

Italian Prime Minister and AC Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi paid tribute to Bearzot.

“I share your heartfelt sorrow for the death of Enzo Bearzot, the unforgettable coach of the Italian national team,” he said in a statement. “With his skills he united the group of players who won Italy's third World Cup in Spain in 1982.”Paolo Rossi returned from a two-year ban for his part in a match-fixing scandal to finish the 1982 tournament as leading goalscorer with six.

“Enzo Bearzot was one of Italy's greatest ever Italians,” Rossi told ANSA. “He was like a father to me and without him I would never have achieved what I did.”—AP