COSTA RICA COACH:
Alexandre Guimaraes

Alexandre Guimaraes, who guided Costa Rica into the 2002 World Cup, left the National Team in November of that year, but returned when the federation fired former U.S. national coach Steve Sampson in 2004 after some poor results.

Guimaraes has been placed in difficult situations before as Costa Rican coach. In his first game as national coach after several matches as an assistant, Guimaraes had a tough challenge as Costa Rica took on Guatemala in a one-game playoff during 2002 qualifying. The Costa Ricans won and advanced to the final CONCACAF round.

Born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on November 7, 1959, Guimaraes eventually became a Costa Rican citizen at age eleven. He starred at Saprissa, helping the club to three titles (1982, 1988 and 1989) while scoring ninety-five goals in 377 games. He also played at Italia '90 with the National Team (11 international appearances) before he went into coaching with stints at Belen, Herediano, Saprissa (two more championships) and Comunicaciones (Guatemala).

As a coach, he is considered an excellent tactician who preaches team ethics over the individual. Guimaraes, a shy man protects his privacy, is the author of sports novels, an avid reader and likes to play tennis and basketball.