Erwin Sánchez

Erwin Sánchez Freking (born 19 October 1969) is a former Bolivian footballer who played as an attacking midfielder with scoring range, and the current manager of Portuguese club Boavista FC.

Dubbed Platini, most of his professional career was spent in Portugal, amassing Primeira Liga totals of 288 games and 59 goals over the course of 13 seasons mainly in representation of Boavista and Benfica. Retiring in 2005, he subsequently became a coach.

From 2006 to 2009, Sánchez managed the Bolivian national team after having appeared as a player in the 1994 FIFA World Cup, the country's third participation.

Club career

Born in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Sánchez started his career at hometown's Club Destroyers, then moved to Club Bolívar. He was signed by S.L. Benfica for the 1990–91 season, but was not very successful there, also being loaned to Lisbon neighbours G.D. Estoril Praia.

Released in 1992, Sánchez signed with Boavista Futebol Clube, eventually becoming one of the team's best players. This prompted a 1997 return to Benfica, but the player again failed to settle, returning to the Axadrezados (chequereds) and being crucial to the club's only league conquest in 2001, with nine goals in 33 games.