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Luis Zubeldía

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Argentine footballer and coach

Luis Zubeldía
Zubeldía in 2012
Personal information
Full name Luis Francisco Zubeldía
Date of birth (1981-01-13) 13 January 1981 (age 43)
Place of birth Santa Rosa, La Pampa, Argentina
Height 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team São Paulo (Head coach)
Youth career
General Belgrano
Lanús
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1998–2004 Lanús 57 (3)
International career
1997 Argentina U17 12 (0)
1999–2001 Argentina U20 15 (0)
Managerial career
2005–2008 Lanús (assistant)
2008–2010 Lanús
2011–2012 Barcelona SC
2012–2013 Racing Club
2013–2015 LDU Quito
2015–2016 Santos Laguna
2016–2017 Independiente Medellín
2017 Alavés
2018 Cerro Porteño
2018–2021 Lanús
2022–2023 LDU Quito
2024– São Paulo
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Luis Francisco Zubeldía (born 13 January 1981) is an Argentine football manager and former player. He is currently the head coach of Brazilian club São Paulo.

A former midfielder, Zubeldía's career was mainly associated to Club Atlético Lanús, where he played as a senior and managed the club in two different spells. He was known for being the youngest person to be in charge of an Argentine first division team.

Playing career

Club

Born in Santa Rosa, La Pampa, Zubeldía started playing with hometown side General Belgrano, before being spotted by José Pékerman and being taken on a trial period for the Argentine youth sides. After attracting the interest of several clubs, he chose to join Lanús, as according to himself, "his school was near the club".

Zubeldía made his first team debut for Lanús on 30 October 1998, in a 2–2 home draw against Independiente. He made 57 appearances, scoring 3 goals. In 2004, he retired from football at 23 years of age due to a osteochondritis dissecans of his knee.

International

Zubeldía represented Argentina at under-17 and under-20 levels. He played for the former in the 1997 FIFA U-17 World Championship, and the latter in the 1999 FIFA U-20 World Cup and the 2001 South American U-20 Championship.

Managing career

Lanús

After retiring, Zubeldía joined the staff of Ramón Cabrero at his main club Lanús, as an assistant. In June 2008, he was announced as manager of the club in the place of Cabrero; at the age of 27, making him the youngest coach in the history of the Argentine Primera División.

After leading the team to fourth place in the 2008 Apertura Tournament and qualifying to the 2009 Copa Libertadores, Lanús' Zubeldía ended the 2009 Clausura Tournament in third place. Under his technical leadership, Lanus finished the 2008–09 season with a total of 75 points, the best record in club's history so far.

On 15 November 2010, Zubeldía resigned and was replaced by Gabriel Schürrer.

Barcelona SC

On 24 June 2011, Zubeldía moved abroad and took over Ecuadorian club Barcelona SC, signing an 18-month contract. On 8 April 2012, after a 1–1 tie against LDU Quito, the president of Barcelona, Antonio Noboa, entered the dressing rooms, having a strong discussion with the young coach. Zubeldía then gave a press conference in the following day announcing his resignation from Barcelona, which stated:

"The president made a comment that I believe was disoriented, I did everything possible not to react, but I reacted as any person of character would have reacted. It did not escalate, but respect was broken. Leaving that to the side and not being ego-centric, I choose to step aside for the benefit of the institution, because if the coach and the trainer don't respect each other, there's no project that could work. I would have liked to be in the photo of the winner of the stage, I wish the best to the next trainer, who has the most important thing, the raw materials."

Zubeldía's replacement was his compatriot Gustavo Costas, which led Barcelona to the 2012 Serie A title after 15 years. Zubeldía was recognized for his role in putting together the team that won the championship.

Racing Club

On 15 April 2012, Zubeldía returned to his home country after being appointed manager of Racing Club, replacing Alfio Basile. He led the club to the 2012 Copa Argentina Final, losing 2–1 to Boca Juniors.

Zubeldía provided the first team debuts of several youth players which would later establish themselves as regular starters, such as Ricardo Centurión, Rodrigo De Paul, Luis Fariña and Luciano Vietto. He led the club to a fifth place in the 2012 Torneo Inicial, and to a sixth position in the 2013 Torneo Final.

On 25 August 2013, Zubeldía was sacked from Racing, after a poor start of the 2013–14 campaign.

LDU Quito

Zubeldía with LDU Quito in 2015

On 26 November 2013, Zubeldía returned to Ecuador to replace Edgardo Bauza at the helm of LDU Quito. On 20 December 2014, he renewed his contract with the club for a further year.

In the 2015 season, Zubeldía led LDU to the first place in the First Stage, but left on 21 December of that year after losing the finals to Emelec.

Santos Laguna

On 28 November 2015, Zubeldía was announced at Liga MX side Santos Laguna as their manager for the 2016 Clausura tournament. He reached the 2016 CONCACAF Champions League semifinals with the club, being eliminated by Club América on extra time.

On 15 August 2016, after only two draws in the first five matches of the Apertura tournament, Zubeldía was dismissed.

Independiente Medellín

On 14 December 2016, Zubeldía switched teams and countries again, after taking over Independiente Medellín of the Categoría Primera A. The following 6 June, after the club's elimination in the 2017 Apertura quarterfinals, he resigned.

Deportivo Alavés

On 16 June 2017, Zubeldía moved to Europe after being appointed manager of Deportivo Alavés of the Spanish La Liga, signing a one-year deal. He was relieved from his duties on 17 September, after losing the first four matches of the campaign.

Cerro Porteño

On 3 February 2018, Zebeldía replaced Leonel Álvarez at the helm of Paraguayan Primera División side Cerro Porteño. On 20 August, he was sacked and subsequently replaced by Fernando Jubero.

Return to Lanús

On 31 August 2018, Lanús president Nicolás Russo announced the return of Zubeldía as manager of the club, with the official announcement occurring on 3 September. He reached the 2020 Copa Sudamericana final with the club, but lost 3–0 to Defensa y Justicia.

On 2 December 2021, Zubeldía confirmed that he would leave Lanús at the end of the season.

Return to LDU Quito

On 22 April 2022, LDU confirmed the return of Zubeldía as manager of the club. He won his first professional title of his career on 28 October 2023, lifting the 2023 Copa Sudamericana after a 1–1 draw (4–3 penalty win) against Fortaleza.

On 17 December 2023, Zubeldía's side won the 2023 Serie A after another penalty win, now over Independiente del Valle. Despite the club's attempts for a contract renewal, LDU's president confirmed his departure on 4 January 2024.

São Paulo

On 20 April 2024, Zubeldía was announced as head coach of Campeonato Brasileiro Série A side São Paulo, signing a contract until December 2025.

Personal life

Zubeldía's older brothers Gustavo and Juan are also involved in football: the former worked with him at Lanús as a fitness coach, later working under the same capacity at several clubs, and the latter was also a footballer and a midfielder, later becoming a manager.

Career statistics

Club

Club Country Year Part Goals
Lanús Argentina 1998–2004 57 3

Managerial

As of 8 December 2024
Managerial record by team and tenure
Team Nat From To Record
G W D L GF GA GD Win %
Lanús Argentina 15 June 2008 15 November 2010 105 48 27 30 145 128 +17 045.71
Barcelona SC Ecuador 24 June 2011 10 April 2012 32 16 9 7 43 27 +16 050.00
Racing Club Argentina 15 April 2012 25 August 2013 60 22 14 24 69 64 +5 036.67
LDU Quito Ecuador 26 November 2013 21 December 2015 96 47 29 20 135 86 +49 048.96
Santos Laguna Mexico 22 December 2015 15 August 2016 34 12 9 13 44 40 +4 035.29
Independiente Medellín Colombia 14 December 2016 6 June 2017 28 17 3 8 47 36 +11 060.71
Alavés Spain 16 June 2017 17 September 2017 4 0 0 4 0 7 −7 000.00
Cerro Porteño Paraguay 5 February 2018 20 August 2018 36 25 8 3 69 36 +33 069.44
Lanús Argentina 3 September 2018 12 December 2021 122 53 28 41 181 167 +14 043.44
LDU Quito Ecuador 22 April 2022 10 January 2024 71 37 23 11 114 60 +54 052.11
São Paulo Brazil 20 April 2024 present 49 23 14 12 65 43 +22 046.94
Total 637 300 164 173 912 694 +218 047.10

Honours

Manager

LDU Quito

References

  1. "Luis Zubeldía". worldfootball.net. 17 September 2017. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
  2. ^ "Luis Zubeldía: de la promesa que se retiró muy joven por lesión al DT consolidado" [Luis Zubeldía: from the prospect who retired at early age due to injury to the established manager] (in Spanish). Olé. 25 October 2023. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
  3. ^ "Luis Zubeldía, la gran promesa que debió retirarse a los 23 años y tiene un récord histórico en el fútbol argentino" [Luis Zubeldía, the big prospect who had to retire at the age of 23 and has a historical record in Argentine football] (in Spanish). TyC Sports. 17 January 2023. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
  4. "Zubeldía no es más el DT de Lanús" [Zubeldía is no longer manager of Lanús] (in Spanish). Clarín. 15 November 2010. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
  5. "Luis Zubeldía es el DT canario" [Luis Zubeldía is the new manager canario] (in Spanish). El Universo. 24 June 2011. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
  6. "8 años después Luis Zubeldía revela que le hizo Antonio Noboa y que provocó que casi le pegara" [8 years later Luis Zubeldía reveals what Antonio Noboa did to him and what made him nearly fight him] (in Spanish). El Futbolero. 5 August 2021. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
  7. "Altercado entre Antonio Noboa y Luis Zubeldía deja sin DT a Barcelona" [Altercation between Antonio Noboa and Luis Zubeldía leave Barcelona managerless] (in Spanish). El Telégrafo. 10 April 2012. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
  8. "Luis Zubeldía también puso su mano en el equipo" [Luis Zubeldía also had his hands in the team] (in Spanish). El Comercio. 30 November 2012. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
  9. "Zubeldía es el nuevo DT de Racing" [Zubeldía is the new manager of Racing] (in Spanish). ESPN Deportes. 15 April 2012. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
  10. "El Zub 23" (in Spanish). Olé. 5 April 2013. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
  11. "Luis Zubeldía dejó de ser el entrenador de Racing" [Luis Zubeldía ceased to be the manager of Racing] (in Spanish). Racing Club Avellaneda. 25 August 2013. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
  12. "Luis Zubeldía es el nuevo DT de Liga de Quito" [Luis Zubeldía is the new manager of Liga de Quito] (in Spanish). El Comercio. 26 November 2013. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
  13. "Luis Zubeldía continuará al frente de Liga de Quito" [Luis Zubeldía will continue ahead of Liga de Quito] (in Spanish). Mi Fútbol Ecuatoriano. 20 December 2014. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
  14. "Luis Zubeldía se va de Liga de Quito con las manos vacías" [Luis Zubeldía leaves Liga de Quito empty-handed] (in Spanish). El Universo. 21 December 2015. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
  15. "Santos Laguna confirmó a Luis Zubeldía como el estratega para 2016" [Santos Laguna confirmed Luis Zubeldía as manager for 2016] (in Spanish). El Comercio. 28 November 2015. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
  16. "Luis Zubeldía fue cesado de la dirección técnica de Santos Laguna" [Luis Zubeldía was sacked from the technical direction of Santos Laguna] (in Spanish). TUDN. 16 August 2016. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
  17. "Luis Zubeldía es el nuevo técnico del Independiente Medellín" [Luis Zubeldía is the new manager of Independiente Medellín] (in Spanish). Diario AS. 14 December 2016. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
  18. "Luis Zubeldía renunció a la dirección técnica del Medellín" [Luis Zubeldía resigned from the technical direction of Medellín] (in Spanish). El Espectador. 6 June 2017. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
  19. "El Deportivo Alavés ficha a Luis Zubeldía como entrenador" [Deportivo Alavés sign Luis Zubeldía as manager] (in Spanish). Deportivo Alavés. 16 June 2017. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
  20. "Luis Zubeldía deja de ser técnico del Deportivo Alavés" [Luis Zubeldía ceases to be manager of Deportivo Alavés] (in Spanish). Deportivo Alavés. 17 September 2017. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
  21. "Luis Zubeldía, nuevo DT de Cerro Porteño" [Luis Zubeldía, new manager of Cerro Porteño] (in Spanish). TyC Sports. 3 February 2018. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
  22. "El fin e inicio de otra era más: Se fue Zubeldía y llega Jubero" [The end and the start of another era: Zubeldía left and Jubero arrives] (in Spanish). La Nación. 20 August 2018. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
  23. "Luis Zubeldía vuelve a ser técnico de Lanús" [Luis Zubeldía returns to be the manager of Lanús] (in Spanish). ESPN Deportes. 31 August 2018. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
  24. ""Es un placer volver a casa"" ["It is a pleasure to return home"] (in Spanish). Olé. 3 September 2018. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
  25. "Luis Zubeldía confirmó que se va de Lanús: ¿asume en San Lorenzo?" [Luis Zubeldía confirmed that he will leave Lanús: does he take over San Lorenzo?] (in Spanish). TyC Sports. 2 December 2021. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
  26. "Luis Zubeldía dirigirá otra vez a Liga de Quito" [Luis Zubeldía will manage Liga de Quito again] (in Spanish). El Comercio. 22 April 2022. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
  27. "Luis Zubeldía por fin deja atrás su fama de 'casi campeón'" [Luis Zubeldía finally leaves behind his fame of 'nearly champion'] (in Spanish). Primicias. 28 October 2023. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
  28. "Liga de Quito venció por penales a Independiente del Valle y se coronó campeón de la LigaPro" [Liga de Quito defeated Independiente del Valle on penalties and crowned champions of the LigaPro] (in Spanish). ESPN. 17 December 2023. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
  29. "Se termina la era de Luis Zubeldía en Liga de Quito: presidente de los albos confirma que el técnico no continuará en el club" [The Luis Zubeldía era at Liga de Quito ends: the whites′s president confirms that the coach will not continue in the club] (in Spanish). El Universo. 4 January 2024. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
  30. "Luis Zubeldía é o novo técnico do São Paulo" [Luis Zubeldía is the new head coach of São Paulo] (in Brazilian Portuguese). São Paulo FC. 20 April 2024. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
  31. ""Será especial... Mis hermanos están en D. Cuenca y nos va a ver Mamá" (VIDEO)" ["It wil be special... My brothers are at D. Cuenca and mother will come to see us" (VIDEO)] (in Spanish). Futbol Ecuador. 14 February 2023. Retrieved 21 April 2024.

External links

São Paulo FC – current squad
Current Campeonato Brasileiro Série A head coaches
Current Campeonato Paulista head coaches
Copa Sudamericana winning managers
Luis Zubeldía managerial positions
Club Atlético Lanús – managers
(c) = caretaker manager
Barcelona S.C. – managers
(c) = caretaker manager
Racing Club de Avellaneda – managers
(c) = caretaker manager
L.D.U. Quito – managers
(c) = caretaker manager
Santos Laguna – managers
Independiente Medellín – managers
(c) = caretaker manager
Deportivo Alavés – managers
Cerro Porteño – managers
São Paulo FC – managers
(c) = caretaker manager
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