Bryan Ruiz headed Costa Rica past Italy in 2014. He now has the 2030 cycle to get them back to a World Cup.
Costa Rica made Bryan Ruiz, captain of their 2014 quarter-final run, their permanent coach through the 2030 cycle, and his first window ends against Argentina in Cordoba on 17 November.
Costa Rica made Bryan Ruiz their permanent head coach on Wednesday, three weeks after handing him the job on an emergency basis. 12
He is 41, he captained the country at three World Cups, and he has been given the whole process towards 2030. 12
The game that will measure him is already booked: Argentina in Córdoba on 17 November, 27 days after the announcement. 3
What he walked into
Fernando Batista left on 28 September with Costa Rica on the brink of relegation to League B. 1 His six matches produced one draw and five defeats. 1
Ruiz took the last two Nations League dates and won both, 3-0 against Nicaragua and 2-0 against Haiti. 2 Five goals scored, none conceded. 2
It was not enough to reach the quarter-finals. Costa Rica finished fourth in League A Group A on six points. 4
What he has actually coached
Ruiz holds a European coaching licence, but his bench record is short. 1
He came up through Alajuelense's academy, coached its under-17s and under-21s, and assisted Alexandre Guimarães with the first team. 2
That work won him the 2025-26 award for the country's best under-21 coach, before a brief spell in charge of Alajuelense's senior side. 2
Christian Bolaños and Wílmer López are his assistants now; Wardy Alfaro is expected to join in January. 1
The 2014 line
In Recife, Ruiz headed Júnior Díaz's cross in off the underside of the bar to beat Italy 1-0. 5
That result took Costa Rica out of the group of death and sent England home. 5 They went on to the quarter-finals. 1
Two dates in November
Two friendlies: Ecuador away in Quito on 13 November, then Argentina in Córdoba on 17 November. Kickoff times for both are still to be confirmed. 3
No squad has been named either, though Ruiz was already drawing one up before the contract was signed. 3
Argentina are at a turning point of their own. These are their first matches since Lionel Messi's farewell on 6 October. 3
So far the evidence for Ruiz is two wins, a licence and a header in Recife. November is where it gets tested. 25
Quote of the Day
"If they want me to stay, if they are interested, I will think about that possibility too." — Bryan Ruiz, 4 October, after the win over Haiti 2
References
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- 2Oficial: Fedefútbol anuncia a Bryan Ruiz como DT de Costa Rica | ESPN Deportes
espndeportes.espn.com
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