Reinaldo Rueda


Reinaldo Rueda Rivera is a Colombian football manager who currently is in charge of the Chile national football team. In 2011, Rueda was naturalized as a Honduran citizen.
As the coach of the Colombian U-20 team, he finished 3rd in the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship. He also led the Colombian U-17 team to a 4th-place finish that same year at the U-17 World Cup.
After an unfavorable start to 2006 World Cup Qualifying, the Colombian Football Federation promoted Rueda to senior coach. Colombia failed to qualify to the 2006 World Cup, but Rueda had lifted them from near last on the CONMEBOL qualification to 6th place. Honduras, under his direction, succeeded in gaining a place in the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Background and career

Rueda holds a physical education degree. Deutsche Sporthochschule Köln, Germany gave him his master's degree as well as proficiency in the German language. He has been a University professor and has taught several courses at the Colombian National Coaches School. He has continued his studies in Europe attending FIFA and UEFA updating courses.
As a football player, Rueda played for emergent clubs in amateur and college competitions. In Colombia, Rueda was coach of Independiente Medellín, Deportivo Cali and Cortuluá.

Colombian national team

As a coach, Rueda has been in charge of the Colombian U-17, U-20, U-21, U-23, and Senior teams. Rueda made the final qualifying rounds with the Colombian U-21 in the Toulon Tournament in France in 2000 and 2001. In the first tournament, Rueda's team beat Ireland 1–0, Ghana 4–1, and Côte d'Ivoire 3–1. Against Portugal on June 3, Colombia won the championship in a game that ended in a penalty shootouts.
In 2001, the Colombian team also got to the finals but this time finished second. At the U-20 tournament in Uruguay 2003, Reinaldo Rueda assured his Colombian team a ticket to the FIFA U-20 World Cup after no Colombian appearance for 10 years.

Honduras national team

Rueda took the helm of the Honduran national side in January 2007, and led the team to qualification for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. However, he came under intense scrutiny following criticism of his tactics as the team exited the World Cup at the first stage. On July 28, 2010, Rueda stepped down as Honduras coach after three years at the helm.

Managerial stats

Statistics accurate as of 15 October 2019

Honors

;Atlético Nacional