Ricardo Lavolpe
Encyclopedia
Ricardo Antonio La Volpe Guarchoni, born February 6, 1952 in Buenos Aires
, is an Argentine
football manager. He is a former Argentine World Cup-winning goalkeeper and the former coach of the Mexican national team
. He is known for his tactical flexibility during matches and abrasive manner, as well as chain smoking
on the touchline. As a club manager, he won the Mexican league in the 1992-93 season
with Atlante F.C. and with Toluca in the 2002 Apertura season. He is the current head coach of Banfield
.
and San Lorenzo
. In Mexico
he played for Atlante F.C.
and Oaxtepec
. He won the 1978 FIFA World Cup
with Argentina
as the reserve goalkeeper.
for several years, coaching teams such as Puebla, Atlante F.C.
, Guadalajara, Querétaro FC
, América
, Atlas, and Toluca
, and C.F. Monterrey. He has had mixed results, a reputation for attacking football and for bringing along young players. As a coach, he led Atlante F.C. to the 1992-1993 season Primera División Championship and formed exciting teams, reaching the finals with Atlas in 1999, and winning the Championship title with Toluca in 2002.
were good, as the team defeated Brazil
to win the 2003 CONCACAF Gold Cup
and easily qualified for the 2006 World Cup and performed well at the 2005 Confederations Cup, defeating eventual champions Brazil at the group stage, and reaching the semifinals of the tournament. With these results, La Volpe got the Mexican squad to 4th place in the FIFA World rankings
.
Also under his leadership at Copa América 2004
, Mexico managed to historically defeat Argentina
for the first time in years, something no other coach in recent history has done, but lost in the quarterfinals against Brazil and lost the quarterfinals at the 2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup
to Colombia. His team was eliminated at the 2004 Olympic Games after losing to Korea during the group stage.
At the 2006 FIFA World Cup
, during the group stage of the competition, he won one game (Iran), tied one (Angola) and lost one (Portugal), giving Mexico an unprecedented fourth consecutive qualification to the Round of 16 of the tournament before going out 1-2 in extra time to Argentina at that stage.
During Mexico's first game in the finals against Iran
, La Volpe was seen chain-smoking in the dugout, leading to an official warning from FIFA
that he was not allowed to smoke during a match. La Volpe responded by telling FIFA's executives that he would "rather give up football than smoking," although he later consented.
He had constant clashes with the press, which pushed La Volpe to threaten several times to leave. Once he told journalists: "Get out of my face! You know nothing. Don't break my balls, you fucking idiots." The Guardian
even named him Best Coach of the 2006 World Cup for his attitude.
After almost beating Argentina during the round of 16, but losing nonetheless after a Maxi Rodríguez goal in extra time, La Volpe finished his term as manager of Mexico. He did not give a final report on the team's performance, for which he was criticized by the Mexican press.
who had been selected to manage the Argentine national team.
La Volpe had a bumpy start with Boca Juniors, including a 3-1 loss against archi-rivals River Plate
on October 8. On 12 October, Boca lost 3-1 to Uruguayan
club Nacional
on penalty kicks in the Copa Sudamericana
, and so were out of the competition. Boca failed three times to claim the Apertura Championship
in the final weeks of the season, and then lost a playoff against Estudiantes
. Keeping his word that he would quit if he lost, La Volpe resigned after the match.
Later that year he become the new Vélez Sársfield
manager, but did not stay in the job long. After watching his team suffer bruising defeats by River Plate and Boca Juniors in the Apertura 2007, and his team in 10th place, he resigned as coach.
. Monterrey's league would end in the semi-finals in which they were eliminated by Santos Laguna after an aggregate score of 3-3. Fans of Monterrey spoke highly of La Volpe for helping the team reach the playoffs again after two dismal seasons of not qualifying including a last place finish during the last tournament. In the Apertura 2008 the team would have a fairly good start, but completely fell apart towards the end of the tournament placing Monterrey in the bottom of the table, hence not qualifying to the playoffs . After the disappointing tournament, the team did not offer the money La Volpe was looking for and he decided to leave the team.
.
, replacing interim coach Rónald González. The Argentine has originally signed until July 2014, however, poor performance during the 2011 Gold Cup
and 2011 Copa América
, ended his contract prematurely on August 12th, 2011.
1Includes results from Copa Libertadores 2000
2Includes results from Copa Sudamericana 2006
3Includes results from Copa Libertadores 2007
Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires is the capital and largest city of Argentina, and the second-largest metropolitan area in South America, after São Paulo. It is located on the western shore of the estuary of the Río de la Plata, on the southeastern coast of the South American continent...
, is an Argentine
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
football manager. He is a former Argentine World Cup-winning goalkeeper and the former coach of the Mexican national team
Mexico national football team
The Mexican national football team represents Mexico in association football and is governed by the Mexican Football Federation , the governing body for football in Mexico. Mexico's home stadium is the Estadio Azteca and their head coach is José Manuel de la Torre...
. He is known for his tactical flexibility during matches and abrasive manner, as well as chain smoking
Chain smoking
Chain smoking is the practice of lighting a new cigarette for personal consumption immediately after one that is finished, sometimes using the finished cigarette to light the next one. It is a common form of addiction.-Causes:...
on the touchline. As a club manager, he won the Mexican league in the 1992-93 season
Primera División de México 1992–93
-Group 1:-Group 2:-Group 3:-Group 4:-Repechaje round:*Veracruz 1-1 ; 0-1 U.A.G.*U.A.N.L. 3-0 ; 1-4 U.N.A.M.-Quarterfinal:*Monterrey 1-1 ; 3-1 U.A.G.*Cruz Azul 0-3 ; 4-3 América*U.A.N.L...
with Atlante F.C. and with Toluca in the 2002 Apertura season. He is the current head coach of Banfield
Club Atlético Banfield
Club Atlético Banfield is an Argentine sports club located in the city of Banfield, part of Lomas de Zamora, Buenos Aires province. Founded on 21 January 1896 by residents of the town of British origin , its main activity is football...
.
Playing career
In Argentina, La Volpe played for Club Atlético BanfieldClub Atlético Banfield
Club Atlético Banfield is an Argentine sports club located in the city of Banfield, part of Lomas de Zamora, Buenos Aires province. Founded on 21 January 1896 by residents of the town of British origin , its main activity is football...
and San Lorenzo
Club Atlético San Lorenzo de Almagro
Club Atlético San Lorenzo de Almagro is an Argentine sports club based in Boedo neighbourhood, Buenos Aires, mostly known because of its football team....
. In Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
he played for Atlante F.C.
Atlante F.C.
Club de Fútbol Atlante, is a Mexican professional football club, currently playing in the Mexican First Division League. The club is based in Cancún, Mexico as of the start of the 2007-08 season, when they relocated from Mexico City, and plays its home games in Estadio Andrés Quintana Roo.-Domestic...
and Oaxtepec
Club de Fútbol Oaxtepec
Club de Fútbol Oaxtepec was a former Mexican first division club that played in the city of Oaxtepec in the late 1980s and 1980s.- History :...
. He won the 1978 FIFA World Cup
1978 FIFA World Cup
The 1978 FIFA World Cup, the 11th staging of the FIFA World Cup, was held in Argentina between 1 June and 25 June. The 1978 World Cup was won by Argentina who beat the Netherlands 3–1 after extra time in the final. This win was the first World Cup title for Argentina, who became the fifth...
with Argentina
Argentina national football team
The Argentina national football team represents Argentina in association football and is controlled by the Argentine Football Association , the governing body for football in Argentina. Argentina's home stadium is Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti and their head coach is Alejandro...
as the reserve goalkeeper.
The Mexico years
La Volpe has been a coach in the Mexican Primera DivisiónPrimera División de México
The Primera División Profesional , known simply as the Primera División, is the top level of the Mexican football league system and is administered by the Mexican Football Federation. It was established in 1943 and as of 2011 has 18 clubs. Up to June 2011, it was divided into three groups competing...
for several years, coaching teams such as Puebla, Atlante F.C.
Atlante F.C.
Club de Fútbol Atlante, is a Mexican professional football club, currently playing in the Mexican First Division League. The club is based in Cancún, Mexico as of the start of the 2007-08 season, when they relocated from Mexico City, and plays its home games in Estadio Andrés Quintana Roo.-Domestic...
, Guadalajara, Querétaro FC
Querétaro FC
Querétaro Fútbol Club, is a Mexican professional football club based in the city of Querétaro, Mexico. Queretaro plays in the Primera División of Mexican football league system, after being promoted at the end of the 2008-2009 season from the Primera División A...
, América
Club América
Club América is a Mexican Professional football club based in Mexico City. It competes in the Primera División, the top professional league in the country. The team's nickname is Las Águilas ....
, Atlas, and Toluca
Club Toluca
Deportivo Toluca Fútbol Club is a Mexican professional football club. Toluca's stadium Nemesio Diez Riega is located in Toluca, State of Mexico in Mexico. Toluca plays in the Primera División de México and has been champion ten times...
, and C.F. Monterrey. He has had mixed results, a reputation for attacking football and for bringing along young players. As a coach, he led Atlante F.C. to the 1992-1993 season Primera División Championship and formed exciting teams, reaching the finals with Atlas in 1999, and winning the Championship title with Toluca in 2002.
World Cup 2006
His results as coach of the Mexican national teamMexico national football team
The Mexican national football team represents Mexico in association football and is governed by the Mexican Football Federation , the governing body for football in Mexico. Mexico's home stadium is the Estadio Azteca and their head coach is José Manuel de la Torre...
were good, as the team defeated Brazil
Brazil national football team
The Brazil national football team represents Brazil in international men's football and is controlled by the Brazilian Football Confederation , the governing body for football in Brazil. They are a member of the International Federation of Association Football since 1923 and also a member of the...
to win the 2003 CONCACAF Gold Cup
2003 CONCACAF Gold Cup
The 2003 CONCACAF Gold Cup was the seventh edition of the Gold Cup, the football championship of North America, Central America and the Caribbean ....
and easily qualified for the 2006 World Cup and performed well at the 2005 Confederations Cup, defeating eventual champions Brazil at the group stage, and reaching the semifinals of the tournament. With these results, La Volpe got the Mexican squad to 4th place in the FIFA World rankings
FIFA World Ranking system 1999-2006
The FIFA men's ranking system 1999–2006 is a calculation technique previously used by FIFA for ranking men's national teams in football...
.
Also under his leadership at Copa América 2004
Copa América 2004
The Copa América 2004 was the 41st edition of the Copa América, the South-American championship for international association football teams. The competition was organized by CONMEBOL, South America's football governing body, and was held in Peru, who hosted the tournament for the sixth time,...
, Mexico managed to historically defeat Argentina
Argentina national football team
The Argentina national football team represents Argentina in association football and is controlled by the Argentine Football Association , the governing body for football in Argentina. Argentina's home stadium is Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti and their head coach is Alejandro...
for the first time in years, something no other coach in recent history has done, but lost in the quarterfinals against Brazil and lost the quarterfinals at the 2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup
2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup
The 2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup was the eighth edition of the Gold Cup, the football championship of North America, Central America and the Caribbean . It was contested in the United States in July 2005. The United States emerged victorious in the final against an upstart Panama team led by tournament...
to Colombia. His team was eliminated at the 2004 Olympic Games after losing to Korea during the group stage.
At the 2006 FIFA World Cup
2006 FIFA World Cup
The 2006 FIFA World Cup was the 18th FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international football world championship tournament. It was held from 9 June to 9 July 2006 in Germany, which won the right to host the event in July 2000. Teams representing 198 national football associations from all six...
, during the group stage of the competition, he won one game (Iran), tied one (Angola) and lost one (Portugal), giving Mexico an unprecedented fourth consecutive qualification to the Round of 16 of the tournament before going out 1-2 in extra time to Argentina at that stage.
During Mexico's first game in the finals against Iran
Iran national football team
The national football team of Iran represents Iran in international football competitions and is controlled by the Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran...
, La Volpe was seen chain-smoking in the dugout, leading to an official warning from FIFA
FIFA
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by the acronym FIFA , is the international governing body of :association football, futsal and beach football. Its headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland, and its president is Sepp Blatter, who is in his fourth...
that he was not allowed to smoke during a match. La Volpe responded by telling FIFA's executives that he would "rather give up football than smoking," although he later consented.
He had constant clashes with the press, which pushed La Volpe to threaten several times to leave. Once he told journalists: "Get out of my face! You know nothing. Don't break my balls, you fucking idiots." The Guardian
The Guardian
The Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...
even named him Best Coach of the 2006 World Cup for his attitude.
After almost beating Argentina during the round of 16, but losing nonetheless after a Maxi Rodríguez goal in extra time, La Volpe finished his term as manager of Mexico. He did not give a final report on the team's performance, for which he was criticized by the Mexican press.
Boca Juniors
After leaving the Mexican national team, he met with Boca Juniors officials on 24 July 2006. After several weeks of negotiation, it was agreed on 22 August that La Volpe would take over as Boca manager on 15 September, replacing Alfio BasileAlfio Basile
Alfio Basile , known as Coco, is an Argentine football coach and former player.-Playing career:Basile started his playing career at the Bella Vista club in his home city. From 1964 to 1970 he played for Racing Club, and then for Huracán, where he was a mainstay of the 1973 Metropolitano champions...
who had been selected to manage the Argentine national team.
La Volpe had a bumpy start with Boca Juniors, including a 3-1 loss against archi-rivals River Plate
Club Atlético River Plate
Club Atlético River Plate is an Argentine sports club based in the Nuñez neighborhood of Buenos Aires. It is best known for its professional football team, which currently competes in Nacional B, the second tier of Argentine football....
on October 8. On 12 October, Boca lost 3-1 to Uruguayan
Uruguay
Uruguay ,officially the Oriental Republic of Uruguay,sometimes the Eastern Republic of Uruguay; ) is a country in the southeastern part of South America. It is home to some 3.5 million people, of whom 1.8 million live in the capital Montevideo and its metropolitan area...
club Nacional
Club Nacional de Football
Club Nacional de Football is a Uruguayan sports club based in Montevideo. It is best known for its professional football team, which plays in the Uruguayan Primera División....
on penalty kicks in the Copa Sudamericana
Copa Sudamericana
The Copa Bridgestone Sudamericana de Clubes , known simply as the Copa Sudamericana , is an annual international club football competition organized by the CONMEBOL since 2002. It is the second most prestigious club competition in South American football. CONCACAF clubs were invited between 2004...
, and so were out of the competition. Boca failed three times to claim the Apertura Championship
Apertura and Clausura
The Apertura and Clausura tournaments are a relatively recent innovation for many Latin American football leagues in which the traditional European football season from August to May is divided in two sections per season, each with its own champion. Apertura and Clausura are the Spanish words for...
in the final weeks of the season, and then lost a playoff against Estudiantes
Estudiantes de La Plata
Club Estudiantes de La Plata , simply referred to as Estudiantes, is an Argentine professional sports club based in La Plata. The club's football team currently competes in the Primera División, where it has spent most of its history....
. Keeping his word that he would quit if he lost, La Volpe resigned after the match.
Later that year he become the new Vélez Sársfield
Club Atlético Vélez Sársfield
Club Atlético Vélez Sársfield is a sports club based in the Liniers neighborhood of western Buenos Aires, Argentina. Vélez is best known for its football team, that plays in the Argentine Primera División, the top level of the Argentine league system...
manager, but did not stay in the job long. After watching his team suffer bruising defeats by River Plate and Boca Juniors in the Apertura 2007, and his team in 10th place, he resigned as coach.
Return to Mexico
In 2008, Ricardo La Volpe returned to Mexico as manager of CF Monterrey. After several days of speculation, the decision was finally announced in the club's official website, as the replacement of former manager Isaac Mizrahi. He had a bumpy start, and didn't win until his fifth match. CF Monterrey finished the season in 8th place and had the league's leading goal scorer, Humberto SuazoHumberto Suazo
Humberto Andrés Suazo Pontivo , nicknamed Chupete, is a Chilean football player, who currently plays as a striker in Monterrey. In 2006 he was awarded by IFFHS as the world's top goal scorer of the year....
. Monterrey's league would end in the semi-finals in which they were eliminated by Santos Laguna after an aggregate score of 3-3. Fans of Monterrey spoke highly of La Volpe for helping the team reach the playoffs again after two dismal seasons of not qualifying including a last place finish during the last tournament. In the Apertura 2008 the team would have a fairly good start, but completely fell apart towards the end of the tournament placing Monterrey in the bottom of the table, hence not qualifying to the playoffs . After the disappointing tournament, the team did not offer the money La Volpe was looking for and he decided to leave the team.
Return to Atlas
On January 28, 2009, Ricardo La Volpe signed, once again, with Club Atlas. Fans of the team had been yearning for him to come back to the squad in which many said he had his most success. The tournament wasn't successful with the team failing to qualify to the playoffs, finishing 13th. On 18 November 2009 the Argentine coach quit Club Atlas due to poor results, and was replaced by Carlos IschiaCarlos Ischia
Carlos Ischia is a former Argentine footballer. He is currently the head coach of Deportivo Quito.-Playing career:...
.
Costa Rica
On September 9, 2010, the former Atlas coach became the new manager of Costa RicaCosta Rica national football team
The Costa Rica national football team, nicknamed La Sele, is the national team of Costa Rica and is controlled by the Federación Costarricense de Fútbol. Costa Rica is the third most successful team in CONCACAF after Mexico and the United States...
, replacing interim coach Rónald González. The Argentine has originally signed until July 2014, however, poor performance during the 2011 Gold Cup
2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup
The 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup was the 11th edition of the CONCACAF Gold Cup competition and 21th CONCACAF regional championship overall in CONCACAF's fifty years of existence...
and 2011 Copa América
2011 Copa América
The 2011 Campeonato Sudamericano Copa América, better known as the 2011 Copa América or the Copa América Argentina 2011, was the 43rd edition of the Copa América, the main international football tournament for national teams in South America...
, ended his contract prematurely on August 12th, 2011.
Managerial Stats
| Team | Nat | From | To | Record | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | W | L | D | Win % | Highest Accomplishment | Playoff Appearances | |||||
| Oaxtepec Oaxtepec Oaxtepec is a town within the municipality of Yautepec in the northern part of the Mexican state of Morelos. Its main industry is tourism, mostly aimed at the inhabitants of nearby Mexico City, and the town possesses various aquatic resorts and hotels. The climate is tropical and the countryside... |
 |
1983 | 1985 | 71 | 17 | 30 | 24 | 23.94% | None | None | |
| Atlante Atlante F.C. Club de Fútbol Atlante, is a Mexican professional football club, currently playing in the Mexican First Division League. The club is based in Cancún, Mexico as of the start of the 2007-08 season, when they relocated from Mexico City, and plays its home games in Estadio Andrés Quintana Roo.-Domestic... |
|
1988 | 1989 | 44 | 19 | 11 | 14 | 43.18% | Semi-Finals | 1 | |
| Chivas | |
1989 | 1989 | 14 | 2 | 7 | 5 | 14.28% | None | None | |
| Queretaro Querétaro FC Querétaro Fútbol Club, is a Mexican professional football club based in the city of Querétaro, Mexico. Queretaro plays in the Primera División of Mexican football league system, after being promoted at the end of the 2008-2009 season from the Primera División A... |
|
1990 | 1991 | 38 | 8 | 16 | 14 | 21.05% | None | None | |
| Atlante Atlante F.C. Club de Fútbol Atlante, is a Mexican professional football club, currently playing in the Mexican First Division League. The club is based in Cancún, Mexico as of the start of the 2007-08 season, when they relocated from Mexico City, and plays its home games in Estadio Andrés Quintana Roo.-Domestic... |
|
1991 | 1996 | 185 | 74 | 59 | 52 | 40% | League Title | 3 | |
| America Club América Club América is a Mexican Professional football club based in Mexico City. It competes in the Primera División, the top professional league in the country. The team's nickname is Las Águilas .... |
|
1996 | 1996 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 25% | None | None | |
| Atlas1 | |
1997 | 2001 | 173 | 76 | 52 | 45 | 44% | Finals | 8 | |
| Toluca Club Toluca Deportivo Toluca Fútbol Club is a Mexican professional football club. Toluca's stadium Nemesio Diez Riega is located in Toluca, State of Mexico in Mexico. Toluca plays in the Primera División de México and has been champion ten times... |
|
2001 | 2002 | 57 | 29 | 9 | 19 | 50.87% | Semi-Finals | 2 | |
| Mexico Mexico national football team The Mexican national football team represents Mexico in association football and is governed by the Mexican Football Federation , the governing body for football in Mexico. Mexico's home stadium is the Estadio Azteca and their head coach is José Manuel de la Torre... |
|
2002 | 2006 | 71 | 38 | 17 | 16 | 53.5% | 2003 Gold Cup 2003 CONCACAF Gold Cup The 2003 CONCACAF Gold Cup was the seventh edition of the Gold Cup, the football championship of North America, Central America and the Caribbean .... |
8 | |
| Boca Juniors2 |  |
2006 | 2006 | 16 | 7 | 7 | 2 | 43.7% | Runner-Up | N/A | |
| Velez Club Atlético Vélez Sársfield Club Atlético Vélez Sársfield is a sports club based in the Liniers neighborhood of western Buenos Aires, Argentina. Vélez is best known for its football team, that plays in the Argentine Primera División, the top level of the Argentine league system... 3 |
|
2007 | 2007 | 28 | 12 | 11 | 5 | 42.8% | None | N/A | |
| Monterrey Club de Fútbol Monterrey The Club de Fútbol Monterrey is a Mexican football club from Monterrey, Nuevo León, and the current champion of the CONCACAF Champions League. Founded on June 28, 1945, it is the oldest active team in the professional division from the northern part of Mexico.... |
|
2008 | 2008 | 38 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 31.57% | Semi-Finals | 1 | |
| Atlas | |
2009 | 2009 | 12 | 5 | 2 | 5 | 41.6% | N/A | N/A | |
| Costa Rica Costa Rica national football team The Costa Rica national football team, nicknamed La Sele, is the national team of Costa Rica and is controlled by the Federación Costarricense de Fútbol. Costa Rica is the third most successful team in CONCACAF after Mexico and the United States... |
 |
2010 | 2011 | 17 | 4 | 8 | 5 | 41% | None | N/A | |
| Career | 756 | 388 | 234 | 134 | 51.3% | 2003 Gold Cup 2003 CONCACAF Gold Cup The 2003 CONCACAF Gold Cup was the seventh edition of the Gold Cup, the football championship of North America, Central America and the Caribbean .... |
23 | ||||
1Includes results from Copa Libertadores 2000
Copa Libertadores 2000
The 2000 edition of the Copa Libertadores was the 41st in the tournament's history. It was held between February 15 and June 21. Thirty-two teams participated in this event.-Group 1:-Group 2:-Group 3:-Group 4:-Group 5:-Group 6:...
2Includes results from Copa Sudamericana 2006
Copa Sudamericana 2006
The 2006 Copa Sudamericana de Clubes, officially the 2006 Copa Nissan Sudamericana de Clubes for sponsorship reasons, was an international football cup competition played annually by clubs of CONMEBOL and invited teams from CONCACAF.-First stage:...
3Includes results from Copa Libertadores 2007
Copa Libertadores 2007
The 2007 Copa Libertadores de América was the 48th edition of the Copa Libertadores. It started on January 24, 2007 and finished on June 20, 2007...