Costa Rica head football coach Wanchope quits

UPDATE: Wednesday, August 12, 3:30 p.m.

After just six months, zero wins, and one public brawl, Paulo César Wanchope announced his resignation as the head coach of Costa Rica’s national football team on Wednesday at a press conference in Proyecto Gol.

“We’re all human and sometimes we can lose our senses,” Wanchope said. “And yesterday I lost my senses disgracefully.”

In front of an overflowing room of reporters and television anchors, Wanchope repeatedly said he regretted the way he reacted on Tuesday night, when he got into a scuffle at a match in Panama.

“Until someone puts their hands on you, you never really know how you’re going to react,” he said about the fight, which was caught on video and immediately made its way to international media outlets and went viral on social media.

The prompt resignation leaves FEDEFUTBOL officials little time to look for a coach ahead of “La Sele’s” Sept. 5 friendly with Brazil in New Jersey.

“The important thing is to name a coach as soon as possible,” Federation President Jorge Hidalgo said. “We can’t wait long because there are games coming up next month. Football doesn’t wait for you.”

Hidalgo said he has not yet decided on an interim head coach, but mentioned that he would talk to new assistant coach Oscar Ramírez to possibly gauge his interest in the position.

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Paulo Wanchope has stepped down as the head coach of the Costa Rica men’s football team, according to the Costa Rican Football Federation (FEDEFUTBOL).

Late Tuesday night Wanchope was involved in a fight at a pre-Olympic game of Costa Rica’s under-23 team in Panama. Video of the fight showed Wanchope hitting a security guard after he was reportedly denied access to the field.

Wanchope’s short career ends with an official 0-4-5 record, though he did lead “La Sele” to a win in the Central America Cup as interim coach.

We will update this story as more information becomes available.