The Argentine Gustavo Alfaro resigned this Friday as Costa Rica’s national football coach after nine months in the position amid press reports that he is a candidate to lead the Paraguay national team.
“The Costa Rican Football Federation (FCRF) announces that technical director Gustavo Alfaro has decided to leave his position as coach of the Costa Rican national team along with his technical staff, effective today,” said an official statement.
Nine months in office
The FCRF, which did not explain the reasons for the resignation, thanked Alfaro and his coaching staff for “their work and dedication” during the nine months they were in office.
“We will continue to build the path towards the 2026 World Cup, we will keep our fans informed and we reiterate our commitment to continue working for the development and success of national football,” the Federation concluded without mentioning candidates for the post.
Paraguay’s interest
The exit of Alfaro It was a rumor that gained strength in local and international media after the 2024 Copa América due to the interest publicly expressed by Paraguayan executives.
The president of the Costa Rican Football Federation, Osael Maroto, He said on several occasions that he had not received any offers for the coach, although he always seemed willing to negotiate an exit.
He had a contract until 2026
Alfaro, who had been in charge of Costa Rica since November 2023, had a contract until the end of the 2026 World Cup and was leading a transition process following the retirement of a generation of players who shone in Brazil 2014 and who qualified for the following World Cups in Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022.
With Alfaro On the bench, Costa Rica lost two matches against Panama, fell in a friendly against Argentina, beat El Salvador and Honduras and tied with Uruguay.
Then, last June, came victories against Saint Kitts and Nevis and Grenada in the opening round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Did not make it through the group in the Copa America
In the Copa América, Costa Rica tied with Brazil, fell to Colombia and beat Paraguay, in what was the last match of Alfaro at the head of the Central American team after being eliminated in the group stage.
Alfaro, 61, had just qualified and managed Ecuador in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. He previously forged his career in Argentine football in charge of teams such as Boca Juniors, Huracán, Gimnasia y Esgrima de la Plata, Tigre, Arsenal, Rosario Central, San Lorenzo, among others.
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His achievements include the 2007 Copa Suramericana title and the 2012 Argentine Clausura Tournament with Arsenal; the 2020 Argentine Super League and the 2019 Super Cup with Boca Juniors; among others.
