Bryan Ruiz will lead Costa Rica’s men’s national team as permanent coach after a brief interim period that included back-to-back Nations League victories. The Costa Rican Football Federation confirmed the 41-year-old former captain’s appointment on Thursday, giving him the task of steering La Sele back to the World Cup by 2030.
Ruiz took over the national team on September 28 following the dismissal of Argentine manager Fernando Batista. The former Fulham midfielder wasted no time recalling veteran goalkeeper Keylor Navas and guided Costa Rica to 3-0 and 2-0 wins over Nicaragua and Haiti at Estadio Ricardo Saprissa. Those results preserved Costa Rica’s place in CONCACAF Nations League A, securing Ruiz’s position as permanent head coach.
This marks Ruiz’s first full-time senior managerial role. Before this, he worked with youth teams and briefly assisted at Liga Deportiva Alajuelense, where he managed two first-team games on an emergency basis. The federation’s official statement cited the decision as a way to maintain continuity and allow Ruiz to apply his leadership and understanding of both domestic and international football to the national team.
Ruiz has brought in trusted figures from his playing days to support him. Former World Cup teammates Wilmer Lopez and Christian Bolanos will assist as coaches, while Ariel Gonzalez will serve as video analyst. Wardy Alfaro is set to join the coaching staff as an assistant starting in January.
During his playing career, Ruiz was known as a left-footed attacking midfielder who featured for clubs including Twente, PSV Eindhoven, Fulham, Sporting CP, and Santos. He retired at Alajuelense in 2022 and captained Costa Rica in three consecutive World Cups: 2014, 2018, and 2022. He played a central role in Costa Rica’s 2014 tournament run, when they reached the quarter-finals in Brazil.
Ruiz inherits a team that has struggled recently. Costa Rica missed the 2026 World Cup under Mexican coach Miguel Herrera and faced a string of setbacks in the Nations League under Batista, leading to a drop in FIFA rankings. The federation has tasked Ruiz with rebuilding the squad and returning to major international tournaments.
Ruiz’s first competitive tests as permanent coach will come during the November international window. Costa Rica will face South American heavyweights Ecuador on November 13, followed by Argentina on November 17. These away friendlies will challenge Ruiz’s ability to develop a competitive team with limited senior managerial experience.
The federation’s choice reflects confidence that Ruiz’s experience as a player and his early success in the dugout can translate into results. The upcoming matches against Ecuador and Argentina will provide a clearer picture of how he intends to shape Costa Rica’s future.
According to Yahoo Sports.
