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The European Managers with Remarkable Stints in South American Sides

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Only a few European managers have been quite successful during their stints with South American national teams.

The news about Carlo Ancelotti’s rumour to leave Real Madrid and take charge of the Brazil national team has been in the headlines recently. The Italian boss has flirted with CBF for a while, and both sides have reportedly reached a verbal agreement, especially after their last meeting last week. The only thing left is the formal announcement, which might be laid out at the end of the season.

Should that happen, which is very likely, Don Carlo could be lining up to make history again in the future. If Selecao manage to win their sixth title in the 2026 FIFA World Cup under his command, the former AC Milan, Chelsea and PSG boss will definitely be making a new record as the most successful European manager taking charge of a South American nation.

Prior to his expected appointment with Brazil, there have been a few other European bosses with fairly successful stints with the CONMEBOL members. Here are those distinguished gaffers who took the leap of faith in Latin American soil and thrived.



Xavier Azkargorta (Bolivia)

He was the gaffer behind Bolivia’s success while qualifying for the 1994 FIFA World Cup. That was the last time they sealed the berth in World Cup finals and the only time doing so via qualifying rounds, not because of the other team’s withdrawal or merely invitation, just like in the 1930 and 1950 editions. The Spaniard’s most remarkable results were when they humbled Brazil and Uruguay 2-0 and 3-1 at the qualifiers, respectively.

Azkargorta was in charge of Erwin Sanchez and Co. from March 1993 to June 1994. It was not his only stint with them. He was named the head coach for the Bolivia national team again from 2012 to 2014. Unfortunately, he was unable to replicate his previous success.

The former Espanyol, Sevilla and Real Valladolid boss was also at the helm of the Chile national team from 1995 to 1996. However, his spell there did not last long, as he received harsh criticism from the local media, which led to his early resignation after only leading Ivan Zamorano and Co. at the 1998 FIFA World Cup qualifier opener versus Venezuela.

Throughout his managerial career, the Basque-born boss who has a degree in medicine and surgery from the University of Barcelona was only able to lift the trophies three times. He won the J-League with Yokohama Marinos in 1998 and the Bolivian domestic league with Bolivar in 2014 and 2015. Sadly, his spells with La Liga sides were not truly memorable, as he was only able to guide all of them to finish in the mid-table without clinching a single title.

CONMEBOL team

Notable games

Bolivia (1993-1994)

vs Mexico 0-0 (Copa America 1993)

vs Brazil 2-0 (1994 FIFA World Cup qualifiers) (H)

vs Uruguay 3-1 (1994 FIFA World Cup qualifiers) (H)

vs Greece 0-0 (friendly match)

vs Switzerland 0-0 (friendly match)

Chile (1995-1996)

vs Mexico 2-1 (friendly match)

vs Northern Ireland 2-1 (friendly match)

Bolivia (2012-2014)

vs Uruguay 4-1 (2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers) (H)

vs Argentina 1-1 (2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers) (H)

Dusan Draskovic (Ecuador)

The Montenegro boss was a notable figure in Ecuadorian football. He was in charge of the Ecuador national team from 1988 to 1994. His memorable achievement was guiding Eduardo Hutardo and Co to their first semifinal in Copa America 1993, when they were hosting it.

During the tournament, Draskovic’s side was able to secure four wins, including Jose Luis Chilavert’s Paraguay in the quarterfinals. Unfortunately, they were beaten by Mexico 2-0 in the final four and suffered another narrow 1-0 defeat against Colombia in the third-place playoff.

Unfortunately, he was unable to lead them to qualify to FIFA World Cup final round. The former Vojvodina boss failed to do so in two qualifying edition, the 1990 and 1994, despite some remarkable results such as holding Brazil and Uruguay in a goalless draw. Ecuador eventually made their world cup debut in 2002.

Draskovic also had spells with Bolivia, Sierra Leone national team, Emelec and Barcelona SC, plus Colombia’s Atletico Junior. Yet, he had never won a single silverware with his teams. 

CONMEBOL teams

Records and Notable results

Ecuador (1988-93)

42 games (12 win-13 draws-17 losses)

vs Uruguay 1-0 (Copa America 1989)

vs Argentina 0-0 (Copa America 1989)

vs Uruguay 1-1 (Copa America 1991)

vs Uruguay 2-1 (Copa America 1993)

vs Paraguay 3-0 (Copa America 1993 quarterfinal)

vs Brazil 0-0 (1994 World Cup qualifiers) (H)

vs Uruguay 0-0 (1994 World Cup qualifiers) (A)

Bolivia (1996)

9 games (1-3-5)

Cesare Maldini (Paraguay)

The former Gli Azzurri boss was in charge of Paraguay ahead of the 2002 FIFA World Cup final round. He was appointed in January 2002 but did not receive a warm welcome at first, especially from the Paraguayan gaffers as they felt to have been overlooked in favour of not-so-successful foreign manager. Cesare Maldini’s ultra-defensive tactics relying on the classic Italian-style defending was harshly criticized too from his days of being at the helm of Italy national team in 1998 FIFA World Cup.

However, the former AC Milan, Parma and Foggia manager did receive some support from the senior players in the squad, including the legendary Jose Luis Chilavert. Cesare did help them progress to the round of 16 and narrowly missed the chance to advance to the quarterfinal following the late only goal from Oliver Neuville versus Germany in Japan-Korea 2002.

Overall, the ex-defender during his playing years was only at the helm of the team in seven games. He eventually left the post after 2002 FIFA World Cup. Paraguay was his last team as a head coach. 

CONMEBOL teams

Records and Notable results

Paraguay (2002)

7 games (2 win-2 draws-3 losses)

vs Nigeria 1-1 (friendly match)

vs Sweden 2-1 (friendly match)

vs Slovenia 3-1 (2002 FIFA World Cup group stage)

Jack Greenwell (Peru)

He is the only European manager who clinched the actual silverware during his spell taking charge of Peru national team in 1939. At that time, he was also at the helm of local side, Universitario de Deportes. Greenwell did not only manage to win the league title with his club but also snatch Copa America title in the same year.

The former Barcelona man in the 1910s saw instant success as they thumped Uruguay 2-1 in the last round to decide the champions. In the 1939 edition, Peru took the real advantage while playing host as the favorites, Brazil and Argentina, plus Colombia and Bolivia withdrew from the tournament. 

The Englishman who once worked as player-coach with the Catalan giant from 1913-1923 plus another brief one in 1931-1933, had a fairly successful stint at the club level. He led Blaugrana to win Copa del Rey twice, plus another one with Espanyol. Greenwell also brought Valencia to the Spanish Cup final in 1934 but suffered a loss to Real Madrid.  

CONMEBOL teams

Records and Notable results

Peru (1939)

8 games (8 win-0 draws-0 losses)

vs Uruguay 2-1 (Copa America 1939 final)

 


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