South American coaches have had their fair share of success both in their continent and Europe, as proven by renowned coaches who came from the ‘Conmebol’ region.
After a backdrop of scepticism regarding the management capabilities of South American coaches in world football, young coaches from the region are currently proving themselves on the touchline with their tactical acumen.
Success, it is said breeds imitators, as such the coaching fraternity in South America has over the years continuously improved their craft to be on the same pedestal with their foreign colleagues in terms of tactical innovation and coaching excellence.
While it’s a known fact that well-recognized and successful South American coaches have cemented their names in the folklore of the game, who are the newbies ready to rival the few grizzled old faces around?
Here are the 10 youngest South American coaches who are making waves and attracting attention from around the globe with their varied and innovative offensive games.
- 1. Hernan Crespo – (Al-Ain)
- 2. Martin Palermo – (Club Olimpia)
- 3. Felipe Luis – (Flamengo)
- 4. Martin Demichelis – (Monterrey)
- 5. Fernando Gago – (Boca Junior)
- 6. Alexander Medina – (Talleres de Cordoba)
- 7. Carlos Tevez – (Unattached)
- 8. Gabriel Heinze – (Unattached)
- 9. Kily Gonzalez – (Club Atletico Union)
- 10. Julio Cesar Vaccari – (Club Atletico Independiente)
1. Hernan Crespo – (Al-Ain)
Hernan Crespo, a prolific goal-poacher in his early career first announced himself to the coaching fraternity in charge of Modena in 2015 having earlier tutored Parma Primavera.
After leaving Italy his coaching career took him back home to continue his coaching sojourn with Banfield and Defense y Justicia, winning their first international trophy with the Copa-Sudamericana in 2021.
Being an ambitious manager he left for Brazil to tutor Santos, before moving to the Middle East to manage Al-Duhail and Al-Ain winning a treble and Asian Champions League respectively with both clubs.
2. Martin Palermo – (Club Olimpia)
Palermo, a legend and well-celebrated forward during his active years, began his coaching career at Godoy Cruz before taking on roles at Union Espanola, Curico Unido in Chile, Aldosivi and Platense in his home country.
After stints with the above clubs, his coaching career took him to Club Olimpia in the Paraguay Primera Division, where he won the Clausura title with two matches remaining in the league.
His first title as a manager reflects all of his hard work, tactical innovation and coaching excellence combined with his dedication to work with players under his disposal.
3. Felipe Luis – (Flamengo)
In recent times only a few Brazilian coaches have been able to manage at the highest level of the game and achieve, but right now Felipe Luis is bringing back the old glory for the Brazilian coaching fraternity.
Felipe Luis has been in charge of the “Rubro-Negro”, we could say a saviour is in sight for the Brazilian contingent again.
After his time as a player, he started his managerial career with the Flamengo U-17 and U-20, winning titles for both sides before taking over the senior team as head coach.
4. Martin Demichelis – (Monterrey)
Demichelis made the transition from player to an assistant coach first at Malaga, and Bayern Munich where he took charge of the youth team before leaving for River Plate to replace Gallardo.
The lanky defender quickly stamped his own identity on the team, with his tactical deftness, quick and silky style of play in charge of Los Millonarios as head coach.
Having started his managerial career on a good note at River Plate, he took charge of Monterrey in August and instantly hit the ground running with his swashbuckling style of play.
5. Fernando Gago – (Boca Junior)
Fernando Gago could have been one of the world’s finest midfielders if not for injuries, but as a coach he is steadily carving a niche for himself as one of the youngest South American coaches in world football.
After a short spell at Aldosivi, Racing Club and Chivas Guadalajara, he took charge of Los Xeneizes on October 2024 to continue his coaching sojourn with his childhood club.
Considering his tactical acumen and philosophies, he is gradually becoming one of the fast-rising young South American coaches ready to face off with established managers across the world.
6. Alexander Medina – (Talleres de Cordoba)
Medina, nicknamed “Cacique” (Chief) due to his leadership skill on the field during his playing career, began his coaching career after retiring with the Uruguayan U-19 and senior team in 2015.
He subsequently made the leap to club coaching in 2019 with Talleres de Cordoba in his first stint, qualifying the club to the Copa Sudamericana and many other success stories including leading them to a third-place finish in the league and Copa Argentina final.
Medina also tried his luck in La Liga with Granada but things didn’t work out, which led him to Talleres de Cordoba in his second stint with “La Albiazul”.
7. Carlos Tevez – (Unattached)
The legendary Argentine forward began his coaching sojourn with Rosario Central, after a stellar career that saw him make 748 club appearances and scoring 309 goals.
His reign at Rosario Central came to an end after five months in charge of the team, resigning at the end of the 2022 Argentine Primera Division citing the club’s upcoming directorial elections as his reasons.
Tevez became the manager of Independiente hoping for a fresh start in 2023, but surprisingly announced he would be leaving the club after their game against Platense.
8. Gabriel Heinze – (Unattached)
Following an illustrious playing career at the highest level in Europe, Heinze began his coaching career at Godoy Cruz before a stint at Argentinos Juniors and Velez Sarsfield a team he led to a third-place finish.
He also managed in the MLS with Atlanta United having established himself as one of the fast-rising coaches in world football during his time in Argentina.
Heinze was formally in charge of Newell’s Old Boys, one of the top teams in the Argentine Primera Division before he left for Fernando Gamboa to take over.
9. Kily Gonzalez – (Club Atletico Union)
Kily is another Argentine legend who has also delved into football management with Union FC in the Primera Division following a stellar professional career in Europe.
He began his coaching career with Rosario Central after retiring before a move to another Argentine side as head coach of El Tate in 2023.
With the way his endearing himself into the hearts of El Tate’s fans, it is only a matter of time before clubs outside the shore of his native Argentina come calling for his services.
10. Julio Cesar Vaccari – (Club Atletico Independiente)
Julio Vaccari started his managerial journey as a rookie with lowly side Atletico Paz and Belgrano having studied physical education at the Universidad del Salvador.
He moved a step ahead in honing his coaching skills by joining Marcelo Bielsa’s staff at Athletic Bilbao as a video analyst, a role he also occupied at Olympique Marseille before moving to Godoy Cruz in 2015 as an assistant coach.
The 44-year-old also worked at Defensa y Justicia, replacing Sebastian Beccacece before taking the reign at Independiente following the departure of Carlos Tevez.
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