José Pekerman
Encyclopedia
José Néstor Pékerman is an Argentine
football
coach and an ex-football player. He become famous as a youth level coach for Argentina, winning the FIFA World Youth Championship three times, and the U-20 South American Youth Championship
twice. He coached the Argentina national football team
in the 2006 World Cup.
, he played from 1970 to 1974 for Argentinos Juniors
scoring 12 goals in 134 matches. He was transferred to Independiente Medellín
, in Colombia
, where he scored 15 goals in 101 matches.
His career as a player ended at age 28 with a serious knee injury. Pékerman was then forced to support himself and his family with various odd jobs, including a stint as a taxi driver.
and then occupied the same position with Argentinos Juniors
. He then moved to Chile
to coach Colo-Colo
's youth divisions.
In 1994, he was offered to coach the Argentinian national under-20 and under-17 sides by the Argentine Football Association
. This caused some surprise as his résumé
did not include any major achievements at this stage. He teamed up with Hugo Tocalli
and coach Eduardo Urtasun.
Pékerman's success, however, silenced the critics: his under-20 team won the FIFA World Youth Championship three times, 1995
(Qatar
), 1997
(Malaysia), and 2001
(Argentina), thus giving the names to his three pet dogs - Qatar, Malaysia and Argentina. The team also won the two South American Youth Championship
s in 1997 and 1999.
When the national coach Daniel Passarella
resigned after the 1998 FIFA World Cup
, Pékerman was offered his position. He declined, assuming instead the position of General Manager of all national teams. Marcelo Bielsa
was hired as coach on Pékerman's recommendation, and remained in charge until after Argentina's gold medal performance in the 2004 Summer Olympics.
In 2003 Pékerman moved to Spain at the behest of Argentine businessman Daniel Grinbank
, who had acquired Spanish Second Division side Club Deportivo Leganés. After a few months as Director of Football, the project crumbled, and Pékerman left Spain.
When Bielsa resigned as coach, Pékerman was one of the two candidates for the coaching job, alongside Carlos Bianchi
, who had left Boca Juniors
a few months earlier, and wanted to take a sabbatical year
away from football.
, which qualified for the 2006 FIFA World Cup
. They dominated its initial Group Stage matches and drew with the Netherlands, emerging on top of their group on goals difference. The albicelestes moved on to the knockout round, beating Mexico
2-1 in a comeback victory.
In the quarterfinals, Argentina went ahead 1-0 against the host nation Germany, but shortly before the end of the match Germany equalized through a Miroslav Klose
header. Germany would go on to win on penalties, sending Argentina out of the tournament. Pékerman made defensive substitutions including taking off Juan Roman Riquelme
for Esteban Cambiasso. After the loss, Pékerman announced his resignation as Argentine national football coach. AFA boss Julio Grondona
tried to dissuade Pékerman from leaving. It was later announced that Alfio Basile
, who coached Argentina during the 1994 FIFA World Cup
, would replace him as coach.
in Mexico replacing fellow Argentine Américo Gallego
. At the end of the Clausura 2008 tournament he was replaced by Jose Manuel de la Torre.
On 23 February 2009, he was appointed as the head coach of UANL Tigres
after the sacking of Manuel Lapuente
following a series of bad results.
After the end of Clausura 2009, Pékerman was dismissed as Coach of UANL Tigres and was replaced by Daniel Guzman.
In July 2010, it had been reported that Pékerman was in serious talks with the Australia national association football team, as well as talks with the Japan national football team
about taking over the role as senior manager following the resignation of the respective coaches from each nation.
Argentina U-20
and Walter Samuel
. When Argentina was eliminated by Germany in the quarterfinal, his substitution decision caused storms of criticism, as well. Despite the dramatic loss, Pékerman was still hailed by many fans and press as a very effective coach and the "Pékerman Era" is regarded as one that brought a lot of pride to the country. His team lost its temper after the elimination and started a huge brawl, which was believed to be one of the major factors that caused his resignation.
and settled in the Odai Alomari colonies of Entre Ríos Province
http://www.delacole.com/cgi-bin/medios/vernota.cgi?medio=comunidades&numero=396¬a=396-18.
Pékerman's grandfather was fond of saying, probably in jest, that one of his nephews was Gregory Peck
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
football
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
coach and an ex-football player. He become famous as a youth level coach for Argentina, winning the FIFA World Youth Championship three times, and the U-20 South American Youth Championship
South American Youth Championship
The South American Youth Championship, also known as U-20 South American Championship and Juventud de América is a South American football tournament organized by the CONMEBOL , for South American national teams of men under age 20.-History:The first South American Youth Championship was hosted by...
twice. He coached the Argentina national football team
Argentina national football team
The Argentina national football team represents Argentina in association football and is controlled by the Argentine Football Association , the governing body for football in Argentina. Argentina's home stadium is Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti and their head coach is Alejandro...
in the 2006 World Cup.
Career as a player
Pékerman's career as a footballer was uneventful. A midfielderMidfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
, he played from 1970 to 1974 for Argentinos Juniors
Argentinos Juniors
Asociación Atlética Argentinos Juniors is an Argentine football club based in La Paternal, Buenos Aires. Founded on August 15, 1904, the club was originally called the “Martyrs of Chicago”, in homage to the eight anarchists imprisoned or hanged after the 1886 Haymarket Riot in Chicago.-Early...
scoring 12 goals in 134 matches. He was transferred to Independiente Medellín
Independiente Medellín
Corporación Deportiva Independiente Medellín is a professional Colombian football team competing in Fútbol Profesional Colombiano, the Colombian first division. The club is based in the city of Medellín and founded in 1913. It has won the league's national tournament known as Copa Mustang five...
, in Colombia
Colombia
Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia , is a unitary constitutional republic comprising thirty-two departments. The country is located in northwestern South America, bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the north by the Caribbean Sea; to the...
, where he scored 15 goals in 101 matches.
His career as a player ended at age 28 with a serious knee injury. Pékerman was then forced to support himself and his family with various odd jobs, including a stint as a taxi driver.
Youth Coaching
Back in Argentina, he worked as a youth coach for Chacarita JuniorsChacarita Juniors
Club Atlético Chacarita Juniors is an Argentine sports club from Villa Maipú, General San Martín Partido in Greater Buenos Aires, which football squad is currently playing in the Primera B Nacional, the second division of the Argentine football league system.The club was founded on May 1, 1906, in...
and then occupied the same position with Argentinos Juniors
Argentinos Juniors
Asociación Atlética Argentinos Juniors is an Argentine football club based in La Paternal, Buenos Aires. Founded on August 15, 1904, the club was originally called the “Martyrs of Chicago”, in homage to the eight anarchists imprisoned or hanged after the 1886 Haymarket Riot in Chicago.-Early...
. He then moved to Chile
Chile
Chile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...
to coach Colo-Colo
Colo-Colo
Club Social y Deportivo Colo-Colo is a Chilean football club based in the commune of Macul, Santiago. It competes in the Primera División, the top-flight football league in the country, from which they have never been relegated. Their home ground is the Estadio Monumental David Arellano.Colo-Colo...
's youth divisions.
In 1994, he was offered to coach the Argentinian national under-20 and under-17 sides by the Argentine Football Association
Argentine Football Association
The Argentine Football Association is the governing body of football in Argentina. It organises the Argentine football league and the Argentina national football team. It is based in Buenos Aires...
. This caused some surprise as his résumé
Résumé
A résumé is a document used by individuals to present their background and skillsets. Résumés can be used for a variety of reasons but most often to secure new employment. A typical résumé contains a summary of relevant job experience and education...
did not include any major achievements at this stage. He teamed up with Hugo Tocalli
Hugo Tocalli
Hugo Daniel Tocalli is a former Argentine football goalkeeper and coach. He played over 400 games in Argentine football and went on to coach a number of clubs and the Argentina U-20 side.-Playing career:...
and coach Eduardo Urtasun.
Pékerman's success, however, silenced the critics: his under-20 team won the FIFA World Youth Championship three times, 1995
1995 FIFA World Youth Championship
The 10th FIFA World Youth Championship was held in Qatar from April 13 to April 28, 1995. The tournament took place in three venues in one city: Doha.-Qualification:-Group A:-------------------------Group B:--------------------...
(Qatar
Qatar
Qatar , also known as the State of Qatar or locally Dawlat Qaṭar, is a sovereign Arab state, located in the Middle East, occupying the small Qatar Peninsula on the northeasterly coast of the much larger Arabian Peninsula. Its sole land border is with Saudi Arabia to the south, with the rest of its...
), 1997
1997 FIFA World Youth Championship
The 1997 FIFA World Youth Championship was the 11th staging of the FIFA World Youth Championship. It was held from June 16 to July 5, 1997 in Malaysia.-Venues:-Qualification:The following 24 teams qualified for the 1997 FIFA World Youth Championship...
(Malaysia), and 2001
2001 FIFA World Youth Championship
The 2001 FIFA World Youth Championship took place in Argentina between June 17 and July 8, 2001. The 2001 championship was the 13th contested. The tournament took part in six cities, Buenos Aires, Córdoba, Mendoza, Rosario, Salta, and Mar del Plata...
(Argentina), thus giving the names to his three pet dogs - Qatar, Malaysia and Argentina. The team also won the two South American Youth Championship
South American Youth Championship
The South American Youth Championship, also known as U-20 South American Championship and Juventud de América is a South American football tournament organized by the CONMEBOL , for South American national teams of men under age 20.-History:The first South American Youth Championship was hosted by...
s in 1997 and 1999.
When the national coach Daniel Passarella
Daniel Passarella
Daniel Alberto Passarella is a former Argentine football centre back and former manager of the Argentine and Uruguayan national football teams. He was captain of the Argentina team that won the 1978 World Cup...
resigned after the 1998 FIFA World Cup
1998 FIFA World Cup
The 1998 FIFA World Cup, the 16th FIFA World Cup, was held in France from 10 June to 12 July 1998. France was chosen as host nation by FIFA on 2 July 1992. The tournament was won by France, who beat Brazil 3-0 in the final...
, Pékerman was offered his position. He declined, assuming instead the position of General Manager of all national teams. Marcelo Bielsa
Marcelo Bielsa
Marcelo Alberto Bielsa Caldera is an Argentine association football coach and former defender, born in Rosario, Santa Fe...
was hired as coach on Pékerman's recommendation, and remained in charge until after Argentina's gold medal performance in the 2004 Summer Olympics.
In 2003 Pékerman moved to Spain at the behest of Argentine businessman Daniel Grinbank
Daniel Grinbank
Daniel Grinbank is an Argentine businessman and impresario. His business creations include four radio stations, a record label and a production company...
, who had acquired Spanish Second Division side Club Deportivo Leganés. After a few months as Director of Football, the project crumbled, and Pékerman left Spain.
When Bielsa resigned as coach, Pékerman was one of the two candidates for the coaching job, alongside Carlos Bianchi
Carlos Bianchi
Carlos Arcecio Bianchi , popularly known as El Virrey , is a prolific Argentine football forward turned manager...
, who had left Boca Juniors
Boca Juniors
Club Atlético Boca Juniors is an Argentine sports club based in La Boca neighborhood of Buenos Aires. It is best known for its professional football team, which currently plays in the Primera División....
a few months earlier, and wanted to take a sabbatical year
Sabbatical year
Sabbatical or a sabbatical is a rest from work, or a hiatus, often lasting from two months to a year. The concept of sabbatical has a source in shmita, described several places in the Bible...
away from football.
World Cup 2006
On September 15, 2004, Pékerman was named coach of the Argentina national football teamArgentina national football team
The Argentina national football team represents Argentina in association football and is controlled by the Argentine Football Association , the governing body for football in Argentina. Argentina's home stadium is Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti and their head coach is Alejandro...
, which qualified for the 2006 FIFA World Cup
2006 FIFA World Cup
The 2006 FIFA World Cup was the 18th FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international football world championship tournament. It was held from 9 June to 9 July 2006 in Germany, which won the right to host the event in July 2000. Teams representing 198 national football associations from all six...
. They dominated its initial Group Stage matches and drew with the Netherlands, emerging on top of their group on goals difference. The albicelestes moved on to the knockout round, beating Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
2-1 in a comeback victory.
In the quarterfinals, Argentina went ahead 1-0 against the host nation Germany, but shortly before the end of the match Germany equalized through a Miroslav Klose
Miroslav Klose
Miroslav Josef Klose is a German footballer who plays as a striker for Lazio in the Serie A. Since bursting onto the international stage at the 2002 World Cup, he has become well known for his knack of scoring headers, front-flip goal celebrations, and decisive short passing.Klose holds German...
header. Germany would go on to win on penalties, sending Argentina out of the tournament. Pékerman made defensive substitutions including taking off Juan Roman Riquelme
Juan Román Riquelme
Juan Román Riquelme is an Argentine footballer who plays for Boca Juniors. A longtime Argentine international, Riquelme is best known for his spells with Boca Juniors and Villarreal...
for Esteban Cambiasso. After the loss, Pékerman announced his resignation as Argentine national football coach. AFA boss Julio Grondona
Julio Grondona
Julio Humberto Grondona is an Argentine football executive. He has served as president of the Argentine Football Association since 1979...
tried to dissuade Pékerman from leaving. It was later announced that Alfio Basile
Alfio Basile
Alfio Basile , known as Coco, is an Argentine football coach and former player.-Playing career:Basile started his playing career at the Bella Vista club in his home city. From 1964 to 1970 he played for Racing Club, and then for Huracán, where he was a mainstay of the 1973 Metropolitano champions...
, who coached Argentina during the 1994 FIFA World Cup
1994 FIFA World Cup
The 1994 FIFA World Cup, the 15th staging of the FIFA World Cup, was held in nine cities across the United States from June 17 to July 17, 1994. The United States was chosen as the host by FIFA on July 4, 1988...
, would replace him as coach.
Post World Cup
On 30 May 2007, Pékerman resumed his coaching career, taking up the position of head coach of Club TolucaClub Toluca
Deportivo Toluca Fútbol Club is a Mexican professional football club. Toluca's stadium Nemesio Diez Riega is located in Toluca, State of Mexico in Mexico. Toluca plays in the Primera División de México and has been champion ten times...
in Mexico replacing fellow Argentine Américo Gallego
Américo Gallego
Américo Rubén "El Tolo" Gallego is an Argentine football coach and former player, he played 73 times for the Argentina national team during his playing career.-Playing career:...
. At the end of the Clausura 2008 tournament he was replaced by Jose Manuel de la Torre.
On 23 February 2009, he was appointed as the head coach of UANL Tigres
UANL Tigres
Tigres de la Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, often known only as Tigres or UANL, a Mexican football club that plays in the Primera División. It is one of the two professional football teams of the state of Nuevo León. The team plays home games at the Estadio Universitario, located in San...
after the sacking of Manuel Lapuente
Manuel Lapuente
Manuel Lapuente Díaz is a Mexican football coach and former player. He was recently working as head coach for Club América.-Playing career:He played 13 matches for the Mexico national team, scoring 5 goals.-Career as manager:...
following a series of bad results.
After the end of Clausura 2009, Pékerman was dismissed as Coach of UANL Tigres and was replaced by Daniel Guzman.
In July 2010, it had been reported that Pékerman was in serious talks with the Australia national association football team, as well as talks with the Japan national football team
Japan national football team
The Japan national football team represents Japan in association football and is operated by the Japan Football Association, the governing body for association football in Japan...
about taking over the role as senior manager following the resignation of the respective coaches from each nation.
Argentina U-20Argentina national under-20 football teamThe Argentina national under-20 football team is the representative of Argentina in FIFA sponsored tournaments that pertain to that age level....
- FIFA U-20 World CupFIFA U-20 World CupThe FIFA U-20 World Cup, until 2005 known as the FIFA World Youth Championship, is the world championship of football for male players under the age of 20 and is organized by Fédération Internationale de Football Association...
:- Winners (3) : 19951995 FIFA World Youth ChampionshipThe 10th FIFA World Youth Championship was held in Qatar from April 13 to April 28, 1995. The tournament took place in three venues in one city: Doha.-Qualification:-Group A:-------------------------Group B:--------------------...
, 19971997 FIFA World Youth ChampionshipThe 1997 FIFA World Youth Championship was the 11th staging of the FIFA World Youth Championship. It was held from June 16 to July 5, 1997 in Malaysia.-Venues:-Qualification:The following 24 teams qualified for the 1997 FIFA World Youth Championship...
, 20011997 FIFA World Youth ChampionshipThe 1997 FIFA World Youth Championship was the 11th staging of the FIFA World Youth Championship. It was held from June 16 to July 5, 1997 in Malaysia.-Venues:-Qualification:The following 24 teams qualified for the 1997 FIFA World Youth Championship...
- Winners (3) : 1995
Legacy
Before the World Cup began, Pékerman made controversial decisions of dropping established defenders Javier ZanettiJavier Zanetti
Javier Adelmar Zanetti is an Argentine footballer who plays for Serie A club Inter. Javier Zanetti has played for Inter since 1995, taking the captain's armband from 29 August 1999. Known for his versatility, he is adept on both the left and right wing, having played on both flanks as a fullback...
and Walter Samuel
Walter Samuel
Walter Adrián Samuel is an Argentine footballer who currently plays for Internazionale. Throughout his career he has been regarded as one of football's toughest defenders, with team-mate and Inter captain Javier Zanetti referring to him as the "hardest player" he has played with.Having been gifted...
. When Argentina was eliminated by Germany in the quarterfinal, his substitution decision caused storms of criticism, as well. Despite the dramatic loss, Pékerman was still hailed by many fans and press as a very effective coach and the "Pékerman Era" is regarded as one that brought a lot of pride to the country. His team lost its temper after the elimination and started a huge brawl, which was believed to be one of the major factors that caused his resignation.
Personal life
Pékerman's grandparents immigrated from UkraineUkraine
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It has an area of 603,628 km², making it the second largest contiguous country on the European continent, after Russia...
and settled in the Odai Alomari colonies of Entre Ríos Province
Entre Ríos Province
Entre Ríos is a northeastern province of Argentina, located in the Mesopotamia region. It borders the provinces of Buenos Aires , Corrientes and Santa Fe , and Uruguay in the east....
http://www.delacole.com/cgi-bin/medios/vernota.cgi?medio=comunidades&numero=396¬a=396-18.
Pékerman's grandfather was fond of saying, probably in jest, that one of his nephews was Gregory Peck
Gregory Peck
Eldred Gregory Peck was an American actor.One of 20th Century Fox's most popular film stars from the 1940s to the 1960s, Peck continued to play important roles well into the 1980s. His notable performances include that of Atticus Finch in the 1962 film To Kill a Mockingbird, for which he won an...
External links
- Biography by FIFAFIFAThe Fédération Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by the acronym FIFA , is the international governing body of :association football, futsal and beach football. Its headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland, and its president is Sepp Blatter, who is in his fourth...
About Pekerman