Lippo Hertzka — Hertzka Lipót — was born in Budapest in 1904 and played as a forward for Essener Turnerbund, MTK Budapest and Real Sociedad before turning to coaching very young. He was Real Sociedad's first professional manager, then took Athletic Bilbao and Sevilla, and in 1931-32 guided Real Madrid to the first La Liga title in their history, unbeaten and conceding only fifteen goals.

The Spanish Civil War pushed him to Portugal, and on 1 October 1936 he took charge of Benfica. He won the Primeira Divisão in 1936-37 and again in 1937-38, extending the club's run of championships, and stayed until June 1939. He returned for a single season in 1947-48, a shorter and less rewarding stint of 30 matches, before Ted Smith replaced him.

Hertzka then wandered through Portuguese football — Belenenses, Porto, Estoril, Académica, Portimonense — and was in charge of União de Montemor when he died there in March 1951, aged only 46.