The 10 coaches at the Copa América 2021

The tried and tested, the revolutionary innovations and the evolving the projects; The 2021 CONMEBOL Copa America promises to provide weeks of fascinating tactical duels once we kick off on 13 June.

Managing the national team requires a careful balance and provides a different challenge to working with a club side. National team managers don’t have the time on the training field to develop a strong understanding and bond with their players. They have to quickly earn the trust and support from their squad. Tailoring and implementing complicated tactical concepts is also far more difficult with just a few weeks a year to work with the group.

Team spirit is key alongside clear, impact communication and an efficient tactical approach.

The bosses who will look to bring their tactical vision to life at the 2021 Copa America include 4 Arentines, 2 Uruguayans, a Brazilian, a Colombian, a Portuguese and a Venezuelan.

Lionel Scaloni (Argentina)

As a player, he won the 1997 U20 World Cup and played at the 2005 World Cup in Germany. His first management role was with the Argentine U20 side. He was then given the interim job as full national team manager in 2018, a role that has since been made permanent following an encouraging start.

In 2019 he earned a third place finish in the CONMEBOL Copa America in Brazil. He will now look to build upon that success and lift the trophy in 2021. His coaching staff includes Argentine national team legends Pablo Aimar, Walter Samuel and Roberto Ayala.

Tite (Brazil)

Reigning Copa America champion. His full name is Adenor Leonardo Bacchi, but everyone knows him as Tite. He had a professional playing career but a knee injury forced him into early retirement when he was just 28 years old. Today, at 59, he leads the ‘Canarinha’ and will look to retain the title in 2021 again on home soil.

As a manager Tite has won international titles including the Copa Sudamericana, Copa Suruga Bank, Copa Libertadores, Club World Cup, Recopa Sudamericana and, perhaps most importantly, the 2019 CONMEBOL Copa America.

Óscar Tabárez (Uruguay)

Tabárez managed Uruguay from 1988 to 1990 before returning to the job in 2006 for a successful reign that has continued up until the present. His 15 years in charge of the national team is a rare achievement in modern football and makes him one of the most experienced in the competition.

Under his leadership Uruguay reached the World Cup semi final for the first time in 40 years (2010) and the team was crowned continental champion for the first time in 16 years (2011). At 74 years of age he will manage at his seventh CONMEBOL Copa America in 2021.

Reinaldo Rueda (Colombia)

A ‘Caleño’ who grew up in the Valle del Cauca, Rueda returns to the Colombian national team job after a spell with South American rivals Chile. He first managed Colombia between 2004 and 2006, finishing 4th in the 2004 Copa America and participating in the 2006 World Cup qualifying competition.

Rueda also has national team managerial experience with Ecuador and Honduras. He managed in the Copa America with Ecuador in 2011 and Chile in 2019, finishing in 4th. He now returns to the competition in 2021 with the country of his birth, hoping to repeat the title winning achievement of his compatriot Francisco Maturana who lifted the trophy in 2001.

Ricardo Gareca (Peru)

The Argentine has been in charge of the Peruvian national team since 2015. He helped the country to return to the World Cup for the first time in 36 years (Russia 2018) and a Copa America final for the first time in 44 years (Brazil 2019).

Undoubtedly ‘El Tigre’ Gareca has earned his reputation and the respect he commands on the continent. He is approaching his 4th CONMEBOL Copa America and will look to repeat his impressive title challenge of 2 years ago.

César Farias (Bolivia)

Farias was born in Venezuela but has built a strong reputation in Bolivian football, lifting the league title with local giants The Strongest in 2016. In 2019 he was named national team manager and will look to achieve a better showing than in 2019 when the side lost all three group games.

He has experience with the Venezuela national team (2009-2013) and at 46 years of age, he is one of the youngest bosses to manage at this year’s Copa America. An ambitious manager who will look to make an impact at the tournament.

Martín Lasarte (Chile)

The Chile job provides the first national team experience for the 60 year old Uruguayan boss. He was confirmed as manager in 2021 following the departure of Colombian Rueda and the Copa America will give Lasarte his chance to show the fans the direction he wishes to take the 2015 and 2016 champions.

Despite not having managed at national team level, he has extensive experience with South American clubs in Uruguay and Chile, he worked in Spain with Real Sociedad and in Egypt with Al-Ahly. 

Gustavo Alfaro (Ecuador)

The 58-year-old Argentine is another who is just beginning his career at national team level. In 2020, following the resignation of Jordi Cruyff, Alfaro became manager of Ecuador and early signs look very promising. The Argentine boss has Ecuador sitting in third place in the World Cup qualifying table following impressive wins against Uruguay (4-2) and Colombia (6-1).

At club level he worked with Argentine giants Boca Juniors and he led Arsenal de Sarandi to their first ever Copa Sudamericana title in 2007.

Eduardo Berizzo (Paraguay)

Berizzo is another Argentine looking to make a mark at national team level in South America. He took charge in 2019 following Juan Carlos Osorio’s departure and he is looking to implement a more assertive tactical approach for Paraguay.

His first chance to make an impact came at the 2019 Copa America in Brazil. His Paraguay progressed from the group before eventually losing to hosts and title winners Brazil on penalties following a 0-0 draw. He will hope to again provide a tricky opponent for South America’s great footballign powers in 2021.

José Peseiro (Venezuela)

Venezuela’s Portuguese boss Peseiro is the only manager from outside of the continent taking charge during this year’s competition. This will be the second national team experience for the newly appointed manager who previously coached Saudi Arabia between 2009 and 2011.

At club level he has extensive experience in Europe, including time managing Greek giants Panathinaikos and big Portuguese clubs such as Sporting and Braga. From 2003 to 2004 he was the assistant manager of former Colombia boss Carlos Queiroz’ at Real Madrid. Peseiro will bring a different tactical perspective to this year’s Copa America.

Who will be the champion?

Between so many different styles, which one will prevail in 2021? Experience, innovation, persistence will be key to win the title? In the next few days the answer will be revealed.