Bruno Edmund Pezzey (3 February 1955 – 31 December 1994) was an Austrian professional footballer. He played as a defender and is regarded one of Austria's best defenders of all times.
Club career
Pezzey began in the youth of FC Lauterach in Vorarlberg. His professional career started at FC Vorarlberg. Then he moved to FC Wacker Innsbruck With Innsbruck he won two league titles and a cup. In 1978 he went to the Bundesliga club Eintracht Frankfurt In this time he won the UEFA Cup and a DFB-Pokal. Then he spent four seasons with Werder Bremen. He returned to Innsbruck in 1987 and won two league titles and a domestic cup.
International career
Pezzey made his debut for Austria in June 1975 against Czechoslovakia and played at the 1978 FIFA World Cup and 1982 FIFA World Cup. In the 1982 World Cup he scored Austria's first goal in the 2–2 draw with Northern Ireland in Madrid. He played 84 matches and shot nine goals. His last match was an August 1990 friendly match against Switzerland.
Managing career
He was assistance coach for the Austrian U21 national team from 1991 till 1993. The next season he was headcoach of the team.
Death and legacy
Pezzey died of heart failure in a hospital on New Year's Eve 1994 after playing in a game of ice hockey short before his 40th birthday. He left behind his wife and two daughters. His youth club, FC Lauterach, named its ground in his honour.Also the Award of the VdF (Vereinigung der Fußballspieler- Union of Football Players) is named after him.