Ricardo La Volpe hired as coach of Costa Rican national soccer team

Argentine Ricardo La Volpe in a press conference Thursday announced his acceptance of the Costa Rican Soccer Federation’s offer to coach the national team, making him the team’s fourth coach in the past year.

 

La Volpe coached the Mexican national team to the Round of 16 in the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, where they were defeated by Argentina. In 2002, he coached the Mexican first-division team Toluca to the national championship. La Volpe played as a goalkeeper on the Argentine national team that won the FIFA World Cup in Argentina in 1978.

 

Negotiations started several weeks ago, but La Volpe, who is known for his straightforwardness, demanded higher compensation if he were to be fired. His monthly salary will be $50,000.

 

La Volpe will start Nov. 1 and is set to coach his first games for Costa Rica in January during the Central American Cup.

 

Costa Rica, which has historically been a force in Central American soccer, failed to qualify for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

 

Costa Rica fired full-time coaches Rodrigo Kenton and René Simões in the past year. Interim coach Ronald González has directed the team since late 2009.