The Bolivian Football Federation (FBF) dismissed the Brazilian this Thursday Antonio Carlos Zagowho served as coach of the Verde, as a result of the disappointing campaign during the America Cup which was played in the United States between June 20 and July 14. “The Bolivian Football Federation thanks Professor Antonio Carlos Zago for his time at the helm of La Verde. We wish him every success from now on,” the Bolivian football institution posted on its social media.
The departure of the former Brazilian footballer was being considered since Wednesday, when the members of the FBF Executive Committee met to analyze the national team’s campaign during the continental tournament.
Zago took office on October 31, 2023, and when he was introduced by the FBF he announced that he wanted to “renew the face” of the national team, given the difficult situation it was going through at the time after four consecutive defeats in the qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. The Brazilian coach replaced Argentine Gustavo Costas, who also received harsh criticism during his tenure as coach.
The disappointing campaign of the coach and Bolivia in the Copa America in the United States finally convinced the directors to terminate the contract with the coach. Bolivia fell in the group stage after losing to the United States (2-0), Uruguay (5-0) and Panama (3-1). It is the fourth consecutive time that the Verde has finished last and without making it past the group stage in the Copa America.
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In nine months as coach, Zago managed 10 matches, of which he had only two wins and suffered eight losses. A month after his arrival to the national team, Bolivia played against Peru in La Paz in November 2023 for the qualifiers and won 2-1, a result that generated some hope in the fans, however, a match later they lost away to Uruguay 3-0.
Zago also coached five friendly matches, of which La Verde lost four and won one, against Andorra (1-0). The losses were against Algeria (3-2), Mexico (1-0), Ecuador (3-1) and Colombia (3-0). Since 2014, the Bolivian national football team has had 12 coaches, almost one per year.
