Manuel Eduardo Berizzo Magnolo (Latin American Spanish: [eˈðwaɾðo βeˈɾiso];[a] born 13 November 1969) is an Argentine football manager and former footballer who played as a central defender. He is the current head coach of Liga MX club León.

Eduardo Berizzo
Berizzo managing Sevilla in 2017
Personal information
Full name Manuel Eduardo Berizzo Magnolo[1][2]
Date of birth (1969-11-13) 13 November 1969 (age 55)[1]
Place of birth Cruz Alta, Argentina[1]
Height 1.84 m (6 ft 0 in)[1]
Position(s) Centre-back
Team information
Current team
León (head coach)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1988–1993 Newell's Old Boys 126 (10)
1993–1996 Atlas 94 (10)
1996–1999 River Plate 94 (3)
1999–2000 Marseille 13 (0)
2000River Plate (loan) 30 (2)
2001–2005 Celta 101 (4)
2005–2006 Cádiz 14 (0)
Total 472 (29)
International career
1996–2000 Argentina 13 (0)
Managerial career
2007–2010 Chile (assistant)
2011 Estudiantes LP
2011–2014 O'Higgins
2014–2017 Celta
2017 Sevilla
2018 Athletic Bilbao
2019–2021 Paraguay
2022–2023 Chile
2022–2023 Chile Olympic
2024– León
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

During his 18-year professional career he played for six teams in four countries, mainly Newell's Old Boys, River Plate and Celta. He represented Argentina in two Copa América tournaments.

Berizzo managed in the top leagues of Argentina, Chile and Spain, leading O'Higgins to their first major honours and taking charge of three La Liga teams including Celta. He was also head coach of the national teams of Paraguay and Chile, going to two Copa América editions with the former.

Playing career

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Club

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Newell's and Atlas

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Born in Cruz Alta, Marcos Juárez, Córdoba, Berizzo was playing in a children's league when he and friend Dario Franco were scouted for Newell's Old Boys by manager Marcelo Bielsa.[3] He helped the team to two Primera División titles,[4] as well as the Copa Libertadores finals of 1988 and 1992, lost to Club Nacional de Football and São Paulo FC, respectively;[3] in the latter final, he scored the only goal of the first leg from a penalty kick, but was the first to miss in the penalty shootout that decided the tie at the Estádio do Morumbi.[5] He was part of a trio within the team known as Los tres chiflados ("The Three Stooges"), taking the role of Moe alongside Julio Saldaña (Larry) and Alfredo Berti (Curly).[6]

In 1993, as Newell's sought to renew their team and transfers to Sporting de Gijón and Udinese Calcio in Europe did not materialise, Berizzo signed for Mexico's Club Atlas under Bielsa. Arriving with a knee injury, he adapted to the country's heat and altitude and became captain. After three seasons that he described as "not good but excellent", he was about to sign a five-year contract extension when an offer came through from Club Atlético River Plate in his country; club president Francisco Ibarra retired his number 2 jersey for the rest of his term.[3]

River Plate and Marseille

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At River, Berizzo played in central defence alongside Paraguayan Celso Ayala in a team that won three consecutive league tournaments and the 1997 Supercopa Libertadores.[3] His solid performances eventually attracted the attention of French club Olympique de Marseille, who signed him in July 1999 on a three-year deal for a fee of 20 million francs (€3 million) to replace 1998 FIFA World Cup winner Laurent Blanc.[7] After a 5–1 loss at AS Saint-Étienne on 11 December, he argued with new manager Bernard Casoni; unsettled and out of form, he was loaned to his former team in January 2000.[8]

Known initially as "Totito", Berizzo inherited the nickname "Toto" from his father, who died in a car accident in March 2000 after watching him play for River against Club Universidad de Chile in the Libertadores. He won another Clausura tournament that year.[3]

Celta

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Berizzo moved to Spain with RC Celta de Vigo, in another winter transfer move.[9] He was an important defensive unit for the Galicians, contributing 17 La Liga matches in his first year as they finished in sixth position; in a run to the final of the Copa del Rey, he scored in each leg of a 4–2 aggregate win over FC Barcelona in the semi-finals in June 2001, the second at the Camp Nou being Pep Guardiola's farewell for the hosts.[10] In his second full season he registered career-bests (at Celta) 27 games with two goals, helping the side to reach the UEFA Champions League for the first time ever.[11]

In the 2003–04 campaign, Berizzo was sent off four times, twice in the last two rounds, as Celta eventually dropped down a level. He also made five appearances in a round-of-16 run in European competition, eventually losing his importance and being released in June 2005 at nearly 36.[11]

Berizzo stayed in Spain and signed a one-year contract with Cádiz CF,[12] appearing scarcely and suffering another top-flight relegation. He retired at the end of the season.

The bearer of an Italian passport, Berizzo did not occupy a non-European Union spot while competing in the continent.[13]

International

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Having played for the under-23 team that missed out in qualification for the 1992 Olympic tournament,[3] Berizzo made his debut for Argentina in the 1998 FIFA World Cup qualifying stage against Venezuela, on 9 October 1996. He was picked up for the squads for the 1997 Copa América – only playing in the quarter-final loss to Peru and being sent off after two yellow cards[14]– and the 1999 Copa América, where he was not used.

Berizzo's last international took place on 15 November 2000, in the 2002 World Cup qualifier against Chile, appearing seven minutes in a 2–0 away win. He broke his ankle in February 2002, completely ruling him out of the final stages in South Korea and Japan.[15]

Coaching career

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Early years

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When Bielsa took over as Chile manager in July 2007, Berizzo became assistant manager. On 10 October 2009, in a World Cup qualifier against Colombia (4–2 away victory), he was ejected alongside Fabián Orellana and eventually received a four-match ban, not being present on the bench for the entirety of the final stages in South Africa.[16]

On 7 February 2011, Berizzo was hired in his own right at Argentine defending champions Estudiantes de La Plata, after the resignation of Alejandro Sabella.[17] His first game four days later was a 2–1 home win over his former club, Newell's.[18] He resigned on 30 May after a poor run of form, including elimination from the Copa Libertadores by Paraguay's Cerro Porteño in the last 16.[19]

O'Higgins

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Berizzo as O'Higgins manager in October 2012

Berizzo signed a two-year deal with O'Higgins F.C. of the Chilean Primera División on 2 December 2011.[20] He achieved runner-up honours in his debut season, losing the final against Club Universidad de Chile in a penalty shootout.[21]

On 10 December 2013, Berizzo led the team from Rancagua to the 2013 Apertura, the first title in their 58-year history.[22] The following 3 May, they won the Supercopa de Chile against Deportes Iquique, again on penalties;[23] he had already agreed that this would be his last game.[24]

La Liga

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On 19 May 2014, Berizzo returned to Celta but as a manager, replacing FC Barcelona-bound Luis Enrique on a two-year deal.[25] In his third, he coached the side to the last-four stage in both the Copa del Rey and the UEFA Europa League.[26]

Berizzo was confirmed as the new manager of Sevilla FC on 27 May 2017, replacing countryman Jorge Sampaoli who accepted the Argentina job.[27] On 22 November, it was announced he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer;[28] a month later, he was fired due to a poor run of results.[29] Much of his short time at the club was recorded in the Amazon Prime television documentary series Six Dreams, in which he was one of its stars.[30]

Berizzo returned to active on 31 May 2018, being appointed at Athletic Bilbao.[31] After winning only two of his 15 competitive matches in charge and with the team in the relegation zone, he was dismissed.[32]

Paraguay

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On 18 February 2019, Berizzo was named Paraguay's new coach after Juan Carlos Osorio's resignation.[33] At the year's Copa América in Brazil, he led the team to the quarter-finals where they were eliminated on penalties after a goalless draw with the hosts.[34] Two years later, the national side fell at the same stage on the same method against Peru.[35]

Berizzo was relieved of his duties on 15 October 2021, following a 4–0 loss in Bolivia in the World Cup qualifiers.[36]

Chile

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Berizzo was hired on a four-year contract to be the manager of Chile on 26 May 2022, after the dismissal of Martín Lasarte for failing to reach the World Cup.[37] His first game on 6 June was a 2–0 friendly loss away to South Korea;[38] this was followed by defeats to Tunisia and Ghana at the Kirin Cup in Japan.[39]

Berizzo did not win until his eighth game, a 3–2 exhibition win over Paraguay on 28 March 2023.[40] Having taken one win and two draws from the first five games of 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification, he resigned on 17 November 2023.[41]

León

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On 7 September 2024, Mexican club León announced Berizzo as their new head coach.

Remarks on homosexuality

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Shortly after leaving Marseille, Berizzo spoke out against alleged homosexuality in France:

"A bunch of faggots is what you have in French football. There are so many homosexual players there, they always provoke you, they touch your thighs, your bum, to see if you will give some kind of signal. I feel disgusted when a homosexual shares the same shower and stares at one's bum with desire, and even gets emotional when you are naked."

— Berizzo quoted in a Daily Telegraph article.[42]

The day after that quote was published by Mexican newspaper La Crónica de Hoy, he denied having said that:

"It is an outrage. This is serious. That note never existed. I have no problem with having a gay colleague. People can do whatever they want to do with their private life."

— Berizzo quoted by Clarín.[43]

Managerial statistics

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As of match played 10 November 2024[44]
Managerial record by team and tenure
Team Nat From To Record Ref
G W D L GF GA GD Win %
Estudiantes   4 February 2011 30 May 2011 23 8 7 8 23 28 −5 034.78
O'Higgins   3 November 2011 2 June 2014 122 63 29 30 191 126 +65 051.64
Celta   2 June 2014 27 May 2017 148 61 36 51 205 207 −2 041.22 [45]
Sevilla   27 May 2017 22 December 2017 27 14 6 7 43 37 +6 051.85 [46]
Athletic Bilbao   31 May 2018 4 December 2018 15 2 8 5 18 23 −5 013.33 [47]
Paraguay   18 February 2019 15 October 2021 31 7 13 11 31 39 −8 022.58
Chile   26 May 2022 16 November 2023 16 4 6 6 16 17 −1 025.00
Chile U23   26 May 2022 16 November 2023 8 6 1 1 18 7 +11 075.00
León   7 September 2024 present 11 3 5 3 15 13 +2 027.27
Total 401 168 111 122 560 497 +63 041.90

Honours

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Player

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Newell's

River Plate

Manager

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O'Higgins

Chile

Notes

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  1. ^ In isolation, Berizzo is pronounced [beˈɾiso].

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Magnolo Eduardo BERIZZO". El Mundo (in Spanish). Retrieved 12 December 2019.
  2. ^ "Manuel Eduardo Berizzo Magnolo". Athletic Bilbao. Retrieved 13 December 2019.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Levinsky, Sergio (12 November 2020). "De ser multicampeón con Bielsa y triunfar en River a vencer el cáncer: la historia de superación de Eduardo Berizzo, el técnico de Paraguay" [From being a multiple champion with Bielsa and triumphing at River to defeating cancer: the story of overcoming obstacles of Eduardo Berizzo, the Paraguay manager] (in Spanish). Infobae. Retrieved 22 January 2023.
  4. ^ a b "Esquadrão Imortal – Newell's Old Boys 1987–1992" [Immortal Squad – Newell's Old Boys 1987–1992] (in Portuguese). Imortais do Futebol. 11 November 2014. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  5. ^ Duffau, Pedro; Gambino, Leandro; López Aspuru, Marcelo (19 June 2020). "Newell's, a 12 pasos de la gloria" [Newell's, 12 steps from glory] (in Spanish). El Equipo. Retrieved 22 January 2023.
  6. ^ Maladesky, Adrian (23 September 2019). "1992. Los tres chiflados" [1992. The Three Stooges]. El Gráfico (in Spanish). Retrieved 22 January 2023.
  7. ^ "Berizzo, nouveau patron de la défense marseillaise" [Berizzo, new boss of Marseille defence]. L'Orient-Le Jour (in French). 22 July 1999. Retrieved 12 January 2023.
  8. ^ Lendvai, Miklos (12 November 2010). "Top 10: les successions manquées" [Top 10: the failed replacements] (in French). Cahiers du Football. Retrieved 12 January 2023.
  9. ^ "Llorens, cedido a Osasuna" [Llorens, loaned to Osasuna]. El País (in Spanish). 28 December 2000. Retrieved 21 May 2014.
  10. ^ Valero, Rafa (4 February 2016). "El espíritu del 2001" [The spirit of 2001]. Marca (in Spanish). Retrieved 22 January 2023.
  11. ^ a b "Eduardo Berizzo" (in Spanish). Yo Jugué en el Celta. 23 April 2008. Retrieved 21 May 2014.
  12. ^ "Eduardo Berizzo, sexta incorporación del Cádiz para la próxima temporada" [Eduardo Berizzo, Cádiz's sixth signing for next season] (in Spanish). Libertad Digital. 27 July 2005. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
  13. ^ Ros, Cayetano; Villalba, Juan M. (10 February 2001). "Bisabuelos por doquier" [Great-grandparents everywhere]. El País (in Spanish). Retrieved 27 December 2022.
  14. ^ Tabeira, Martín. "Copa América 1997". RSSSF. Retrieved 21 May 2014.
  15. ^ "La Selección embrujada: se lesionaron Crespo y Ayala" [Bewitched national team: Crespo and Ayala injured]. Clarín (in Spanish). 22 March 2002. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  16. ^ "Berizzo, suspendido para la primera fase del Mundial" [Berizzo, suspended for the World Cup's group stage] (in Spanish). TyC Sports. 29 December 2009. Archived from the original on 21 May 2014. Retrieved 21 May 2014.
  17. ^ "Estudiantes hires Berizzo as new coach". Fox Sports. 7 February 2011. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
  18. ^ "Newell's no pudo con Estudiantes en el debut" [Newell's couldn't deal with Estudiantes in the opening game] (in Spanish). Rosario 3. 11 February 2011. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
  19. ^ Ampuero, Luis (30 May 2011). "FUTBOL-DT Berizzo renuncia en Estudiantes argentino: club" [FOOTBALL-HC Berizzo resigns from Argentina's Estudiantes: club] (in Spanish). Reuters. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
  20. ^ "Berizzo en O'Higgins" [Berizzo to O'Higgins]. Página 12 (in Spanish). 2 December 2011. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
  21. ^ "U. de Chile venció en infartante definición a O'Higgins y logró su primer tricampeonato" [U. de Chile defeated O'Higgins in heart-stopping finale and won three championships in a row for the first time] (in Spanish). Radio Cooperativa. 3 July 2012. Retrieved 15 March 2014.
  22. ^ a b Castañeda, Jaime (11 December 2013). "El cielo se tiñó de celeste: ¡O'Higgins campeón!" [The sky was coloured sky blue: O’Higgins champions!]. El Tipógrafo (in Spanish). Retrieved 4 January 2020.
  23. ^ a b "O'Higgins ganó la Supercopa al vencer a Deportes Iquique" [O'Higgins won the Supercup after beating Deportes Iquique] (in Spanish). Asociación Nacional de Fútbol Profesional. 3 May 2014. Retrieved 15 February 2015.
  24. ^ "Berizzo se despide de O'Higgins con el título de la Supercopa tras vencer a Iquique" [Berizzo bids farewell to O'Higgins with the Supercup title after defeating Iquique]. El Mercurio (in Spanish). 3 May 2014. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
  25. ^ "Eduardo Berizzo, nuevo entrenador del RC Celta" [Eduardo Berizzo, new RC Celta manager] (in Spanish). Celta Vigo. 19 May 2014. Archived from the original on 19 May 2014. Retrieved 21 May 2014.
  26. ^ Rodríguez, Roberto (8 February 2017). "Berizzo, el técnico milagro quiere otra final" [Berizzo, the miracle coach wants another final]. La Vanguardia (in Spanish). Retrieved 15 May 2017.
  27. ^ Garrido, Clemente; López Guerra, José María (27 May 2017). "Eduardo Berizzo will be next coach of Sevilla". Diario AS. Archived from the original on 21 February 2019. Retrieved 30 May 2017.
  28. ^ Grez, Matias (22 November 2017). "Sevilla coach Eduardo Berizzo diagnosed with prostate cancer". CNN. Retrieved 22 November 2017.
  29. ^ "Sevilla FC dismiss Eduardo Berizzo" (Press release). Sevilla FC. 22 December 2017. Archived from the original on 2 March 2018. Retrieved 28 December 2017.
  30. ^ García Domínguez, Rafael (8 March 2018). "Six Dreams: Amazon launch series following LaLiga stars lives". Diario AS. Archived from the original on 27 December 2019. Retrieved 27 December 2019.
  31. ^ "Eduardo Berizzo, Athletic Club's new coach". Athletic Bilbao. 31 May 2018. Archived from the original on 13 July 2018. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  32. ^ "Replacement of Eduardo Berizzo". Athletic Bilbao. 4 December 2018. Retrieved 4 December 2018.
  33. ^ "Eduardo Berizzo named new Paraguay coach". Evening Express. 18 February 2019. Retrieved 20 February 2019.
  34. ^ "Brazil's Tite blasts 'absurd' state of Copa surface". France 24. 28 June 2019. Retrieved 31 July 2019.
  35. ^ "Eduardo Berizzo, "orgulloso" de Paraguay" [Eduardo Berizzo, "proud" of Paraguay] (in Spanish). D10. 2 July 2021. Retrieved 4 July 2021.
  36. ^ "Paraguay sack Berizzo after World Cup qualifier drubbing". Times of Malta. 15 October 2021. Retrieved 15 October 2021.
  37. ^ "Chile appoint Eduardo Berizzo as new coach". Reuters. 16 May 2022. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
  38. ^ "Berizzo arrancó con el pie izquierdo: Chile perdió ante Corea del Sur" [Berizzo started on the wrong foot: Chile lost against South Korea]. Olé (in Spanish). 23 June 2022. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
  39. ^ "Chile, derrotada por Ghana en los penaltis" [Chile, defeated by Ghana on penalties]. Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). 14 June 2022. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
  40. ^ Rojas, Manuel (27 March 2023). "Alexis Sánchez salva a Chile de un nuevo descalabro y le da el primer triunfo a la "Roja" en la era Berizzo" [Alexis Sánchez saves Chile from a new disaster and gives the "Red" a first triumph in the Berizzo era] (in Spanish). Emol. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
  41. ^ Ojha, Chiranjit (17 November 2023). "Chile manager Berizzo resigns, Cordova named interim head coach". Reuters. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
  42. ^ Jeffries, Tony (29 December 2000). "Quotes of the year". The Daily Telegraph. London. Retrieved 13 August 2009.
  43. ^ "Berizzo vivió un hecho insólito" [Berizzo experienced unheard of episode]. Clarín (in Spanish). 23 March 2000. Retrieved 16 May 2017.
  44. ^ Eduardo Berizzo coach profile at Soccerway
  45. ^ "Berizzo: Manuel Eduardo Berizzo Magnolo: Matches 2014–15". BDFutbol. Retrieved 19 December 2016.
    "Berizzo: Manuel Eduardo Berizzo Magnolo: Matches 2015–16". BDFutbol. Retrieved 19 December 2016.}
    "Berizzo: Manuel Eduardo Berizzo Magnolo: Matches 2016–17". BDFutbol. Retrieved 19 December 2016.
  46. ^ "Berizzo: Manuel Eduardo Berizzo Magnolo: Matches 2017–18". BDFutbol. Retrieved 31 May 2017.
  47. ^ "Berizzo: Manuel Eduardo Berizzo Magnolo: Matches 2018–19". BDFutbol. Retrieved 3 June 2018.
  48. ^ Ferro, Leonardo (18 December 2012). "A última conquista internacional de um gigante" [A giant's last international conquest] (in Portuguese). Futebol Portenho. Retrieved 12 January 2023.
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