Ramón Díaz

Ramón Ángel Díaz (Spanish pronunciation: [raˈmon ˈaŋxel ˈdi.as]; born 29 August 1959) is a former Argentine footballer and manager. He played for River Plate as a striker, and coached it for three tenures, winning eight titles. He is also known by the nickname of El Pelado ("Baldy"). He is the manager of the Brazilian club Vasco da Gama.

For the Uruguayan journalist, lawyer and economist, see Ramón Díaz (economist). For the Spanish footballer, see Ramón Díaz Cruz. For Spanish basketball coach, see Ramón Díaz Sánchez.

Ramón Díaz
Díaz as Paraguay manager in 2016
Personal information
Full name Ramón Ángel Díaz
Date of birth (1959-08-29) 29 August 1959
Place of birth La Rioja, Argentina
Height 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)
Position(s) Striker
Team information
Current team
 Vasco da Gama (head coach)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1978–1982 River Plate 123 (57)
1982–1983 Napoli 25 (3)
1983–1986 Avellino 78 (22)
1986–1988 Fiorentina 53 (17)
1988–1989 Internazionale 33 (12)
1989–1991 Monaco 60 (24)
1991–1993 River Plate 52 (27)
1993–1995 Yokohama Marinos 75 (52)
Total 499 (215)
International career
1978–1979 Argentina U20 6 (8)
1979–1982 Argentina 22 (10)
Managerial career
1995–1999 River Plate
2001–2002 River Plate
2004–2005 Oxford United
2007–2008 San Lorenzo
2008–2009 América
2010–2011 San Lorenzo
2011–2012 Independiente
2012–2014 River Plate
2014–2016 Paraguay
2016–2018 Al Hilal
2018 Al-Ittihad
2019 Pyramids
2020 Libertad
2020 Botafogo
2021–2022 Al Nasr
2022–2023 Al Hilal
2023– Vasco da Gama
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Club career

Díaz was born in the city of La Rioja in the province of the same name. He played as a forward and starred in River Plate's youth system under Norberto "El Pacha" Yacono. His opening game in the Argentine First Division was on 13 August 1978, a game where River Plate beat Colón de Santa Fe 1–0. He scored his first goal on 30 August of that year, playing against Quilmes Atlético Club. Diaz went on to feature for clubs such as River Plate, Inter Milan, Yokohama Marinos, and Monaco under famed manager Arsène Wenger.[1]

International career
Diaz playing for Argentina at the 1979 U-20 World Cup

Ramón Díaz was on the Argentina under-20 team that won the 1979 FIFA World Youth Championship, alongside Diego Maradona. Díaz and Maradona were the core of the attack-minded team, and together scored 14 of the team's 20 goals (70%). Díaz scored 8 goals, winning the Golden Boot for being the top scorer of the competition. Maradona scored 6 goals, winning the Best Player award.

Ramón Díaz then went on to play in the 1982 FIFA World Cup and scored against Brazil in Argentina's 3–1 defeat. It had been rumoured that he and Maradona were involved in a feud which prevented Diaz from playing for Argentina in the 1986 and 1990 World Cups. However, this was denied by Maradona in his autobiography Yo soy el Diego, claiming that he had told the then-Argentina manager, Carlos Bilardo, that he wanted Diaz in both the 1986 and 1990 World Cup squads.[1][2]

Managerial career

Díaz served as the manager of River Plate between 1995 and 2003, in that time he guided the club to victory in the 1996 Copa Libertadores as well as collecting five league titles and the Supercopa Sudamericana.[1]

Oxford United

Ramón Díaz served as manager of League Two English club Oxford United between 2004 and 2005, despite already having achieved considerable success in his native Argentina. At the time, Diaz told the media: "I like English football and I wanted to get first-hand experience of it...I'd seen plenty of it on television... It's also very interesting to work at this level, because it's completely different from football at the top." It was also claimed that neither Diaz nor any of his five backroom staff were being paid by Oxford United for their services.[1]

San Lorenzo 1st Term

On 24 December 2006, he was appointed head coach of San Lorenzo in the Argentine Primera,[3] Díaz secured the title after the 17th round of fixtures, with two games still to play. Díaz led them to the Clausura 2007 championship title, the club's first title in six years.

Club América

On 15 May 2008, Diaz was confirmed as the new Club América coach. Although the club did not reveal specific details about Diaz' contract,[4] he was reportedly offered 1.5 million dollars per year including performance-related bonuses which could have taken his total earnings to 6 million dollars.[5] Díaz failed to make Club América qualify to Copa Libertadores. In the start of the Clausura 2009 season, Díaz won against Santos 2–1. After that, Díaz drew against Toluca 2–2. Díaz lost against Morelia 1–0. Díaz lost again against Pachuca 3–1. After two consecutive league losses, and the club being in 12th position in the league table, Club América sacked coach Ramón Díaz on Tuesday 10 February 2009.[6]

San Lorenzo 2nd Term

On 25 May 2010, it was made official by President Savino that Ramón Díaz was appointed for the second time. Díaz had a one-year contract with San Lorenzo.[7] Ramón Díaz resigned because of poor results and said there is no turning back. In addition, he said that this has nothing to do with Abdo: "I thank the president because he gave me everything, just like the players."[8]

Independiente

On 12 September 2011, Independiente hired Díaz to replace Antonio Mohamed who resigned. On 5 March 2012, Ramón Díaz quit Independiente, resigning from his position at the King of Cups, who had been struggling and found themselves at the very bottom of the table.[9] Ramón Díaz was replaced by Christian Díaz.

River Plate 3rd term

On 30 November 2012, Ramón Díaz was appointed coach of River Plate for the third time in his management career.[10] Ramón won the Toreno Final in 2014, and he also won the Superfinal against San Lorenzo 1–0.[11] On 27 May 2014, Díaz left River Plate.[12]

Paraguay National Team
Díaz during a press conference as Paraguay manager, 2016

On 5 December 2014, Ramón left River Plate to become the manager of the Paraguay national team. He said "It's one of the biggest challenges of my career... There's a lot of work to do".[13] Ramón first major competition was the 2015 Copa América. His first match in the Copa América was against Argentina which they drew 2–2. Ramón's second match was against Jamaica which they won 1–0. The last match of the group stages was against Uruguay which they drew 1-1. Paraguay finished 2nd with five points in their group. Paraguay won the quarterfinal against Brazil 1–1 (3–4 on penalties). Paraguay were hammered 6–1 by Argentina in the semifinals which let them go to the third group playoff which they lost 2–0 against Peru which made Paraguay fourth in the Copa América. Ramón continued in the national team. On the Copa América Centenario, Paraguay were out of the competition in the group stage, by drawing against Costa Rica and losing to Colombia 2–1 and the US 1–0. On 12 June 2016, following an unsuccessful run at Copa América Centenario, he resigned as manager of Paraguay.[14]

Al-Hilal

On 13 October 2016 Ramón Díaz was appointed manager of Al-Hilal FC after former manager Gustavo Matosas was sacked[15] with a one-year contract.

2016–17 season

Ramón's first match was against Al-Fateh where Al-Hilal won 1–0. On 25 November, Rámon played his first important match against Al-Ahli where they won 2–1. Ramón drew the Riyadh Derby against Al-Nassr 1–1. Ramón won 4–2 against Al-Taawon FC. He won against Ittihad FC 3–1. Ramón Diaz drew 0–0 against Al-Ahli, but he won against Al-Shabab 2–1 to Secure the title. Al-Hilal lifted the league against Al-Nassr in the Riyadh Derby after winning 5–1 in the league. Ramón Díaz renewed his contract for one more year for 1.5 million dollars.[16][17][18] Ramón made Al-Hilal first in the Champions League group stages after winning against Al-Rayyan 4–3.[19] Ramón made Al-Hilal qualify to the King's Cup final after beating Al-Taawon 3–4. Ramón Díaz won the King's Cup against Al-Ahli in final 3–2.[20] Rámon Díaz won the Champions League Round of 16 first leg against Esteghlal Khuzestan F.C. 2–1.[21] Díaz won the second leg 2–1 again [2–4 on AGG] making Al-Hilal go to the quarterfinals of the AFC Champions League.[22][23][24][25] [26] [27]

2017–18 season

On 4 June, Díaz signed Mukhtar Fallatah to make him the first signing of the season.[28] On 19 June 2017, Ramòn Díaz made Omar Kharbin a permanent signing after he was on loan, the fee 11 million dollars (44 million riyals) and signed a four-year contract with Al-Hilal.[29] On 21 June, Díaz signed Ali Al Bulaihi for free from Al-Fateh.[30] On 3 July, Al-Hilal signed Mohamed Kanno and Hasan Kadish from Ettifaq.[31][32]
On 10 August, Díaz won the first match of the season 2–1 against league debutant Al-Fayha.[33] On 15 August, Ramón Díaz won his second match of the season which was against Al-Taawoun 4–3. On 21 August, Díaz made Al-Hilal draw against Al Ain 0–0 in the 2017 AFC Champions League quarter finals.[34]

On 11 September, Díaz made Al-Hilal qualify to the semi-final of the AFC Champions League after beating Al-Ain 3–0. After that, he signed Gelmin Rivas to become his sixth registered foreigner player in the 2017–18 season.[35] On 16 September, Ramón Díaz won the third match of season against Ohod 1–0.[36] On 21 September, Al-Hilal drew against Al-Ittihad 1–1.[37] On 26 October, Diaz made Al-Hilal won the Riyadh Derby against Al-Nassr.

On 18 November, Diaz and his team drew in the first leg of the final of the AFC Champions League against Urawa Red Diamonds 1–1 in Riyadh. On 25 November, they lost the second 1–0 making them runners-up in the tournament.[38] On 1 December, Diaz led his team to win against title challengers Al-Ahli 2–0. On 17 December, Diaz and his team lost their first match in the league against Al-Fayha 2–1. After that, Diaz won against Ohod 4–1. On 20 January, Al-Hilal were kicked out of the Kings Cup by Al-Qadisyah in the round of 16.[39] On 13 February, Al-Hilal drew their first match in their new stadium the King Saud University Stadium against Al-Ain 0–0 in the Champions League. On 20 February, Al-Hilal lost 1–0 against Esteghlal in Oman. On 21 February, Al-Hilal sacked Ramon Diaz due to unsatisfactory performances.[40]

Botafogo

On 8 November 2020, Díaz was named manager of Série A side Botafogo.[41] He subsequently returned to his home country to make an emergency surgery to remove a tumor,[42] and his absence was prolonged due to his clinical condition.

On 27 November 2020, Botafogo announced the departure of Díaz and his staff from the club.[43] He left the club without managing a single match for them, as the three matches played by them during the period (all losses) were managed by his assistant and son Emiliano Díaz.

Al Nasr

In February 2021, he agreed to a contract with Al Nasr to last until the summer of 2022.[44][45]

Return to Al Hilal

On 14 February 2022, Díaz was named as the new coach of Saudi Professional League club Al Hilal until the end of the season.[46] However, he later led Al Hilal to defeat Flamengo 3–2 in the 2022 FIFA Club World Cup semi-finals,[47] before losing the final 3–5 against Real Madrid.[48]

In the 2022 AFC Champions League final, his team lost 2–1 on aggregate against Urawa Red Diamonds for the second time after 2017.[49] After winning the King Cup final against Al-Wehda in May 2023, Díaz decided to step down from his post and return to his country, in order to be with his family following the death of his wife two months earlier in a car accident; meanwhile, his son Emiliano became the caretaker manager of the club for the rest of the season.[50]

Career statistics

Club
Díaz with River Plate in 1981
Club performance League Cup League Cup Total
Season Club League AppsGoals AppsGoals AppsGoals AppsGoals
Argentina League Cup League Cup Total
1978River PlatePrimera División145145
197922122212
198040224022
198147184718
Italy League Coppa Italia League Cup Total
1982–83NapoliSerie A253253
1983–84AvellinoSerie A247247
1984–85275275
1985–8627102710
1986–87FiorentinaSerie A29102910
1987–88247247
1988–89InternazionaleSerie A331271324315
France League Coupe de France Coupe de la Ligue Total
1989–90MonacoDivision 128152815
1990–91329329
Argentina League Cup League Cup Total
1991–92River PlatePrimera División31203120
1992–93217217
Japan League Emperor's Cup J.League Cup Total
1993Yokohama MarinosJ1 League322831534032
1994372342314426
19956100-61
CountryArgentina 1758417584
Italy 1895418954
France 60246024
Japan 755273849059
Total 4992147384514221

[51]

International
Díaz celebrating a goal at the 1979 FIFA U-20 World Cup
Argentina national team
YearAppsGoals
197911
198094
198141
198284
Total2210

Managerial statistics
As of 22 October 2023
Managerial record by team and tenure
Team Nat. From To Record Ref
G W D L GF GA GD Win %
River Plate Argentina 8 July 1995 11 February 2000 252 126 66 60 451 303 +148 050.00
River Plate Argentina 1 July 2001 30 June 2002 52 29 14 9 111 49 +62 055.77
Oxford United England 9 December 2004 4 May 2005 25 10 7 8 48 56 −8 040.00
San Lorenzo Argentina 24 December 2006 12 June 2008 68 37 14 17 104 77 +27 054.41
América Mexico 25 June 2008 12 February 2009 24 7 9 8 47 50 −3 029.17
San Lorenzo Argentina 25 May 2010 24 April 2011 30 10 9 11 29 29 +0 033.33
Independiente Argentina 12 September 2011 5 March 2012 20 7 5 8 21 20 +1 035.00
River Plate Argentina 30 November 2012 27 May 2014 66 30 17 19 77 56 +21 045.45
Paraguay Paraguay 4 December 2014 12 June 2016 20 3 9 8 11 22 −11 015.00
Al-Hilal Saudi Arabia 15 October 2016 20 February 2018 65 42 17 6 83 50 +33 064.62
Al-Ittihad Saudi Arabia 1 July 2018 15 September 2018 4 0 1 3 1 6 −5 000.00
Pyramids Egypt 14 February 2019 27 May 2019 13 8 4 1 18 9 +9 061.54
Libertad Paraguay 20 December 2019 24 September 2020 24 14 4 6 45 29 +16 058.33
Botafogo Brazil 4 November 2020 27 November 2020 0 0 0 0 0 0 +0 !—
Al Nasr United Arab Emirates 4 February 2021 7 February 2022 37 14 8 15 58 46 +12 037.84
Al-Hilal Saudi Arabia 14 February 2022 14 May 2023 60 39 12 9 116 58 +58 065.00
Vasco da Gama Brazil 15 July 2023 present 14 6 3 5 17 16 +1 042.86
Total 773 382 197 194 1,266 852 +414 049.42

Honours

Player

River Plate

Internazionale

Monaco

Yokohama Marinos

Argentina U20

Individual

Manager

River Plate

San Lorenzo

Al-Hilal

Al-Ittihad

Al-Nasr

Individual

Notes
  1. The "Superfinal" is considered as a national cup by the Argentine Football Association.[55]

References
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  2. "Ramon Angel Diaz". Ramon Diaz.com.
  3. "San Lorenzo appoint former U's boss Diaz". ESPNFC.com.
  4. Ramón Díaz ya es nuevo técnico del América
  5. "Ramón fue presentado en América de México". La Nación. 6 July 2008.
  6. "Club America Sacks Diaz | Goal.com". www.goal.com.
  7. "Ramón Díaz acordó su regreso a San Lorenzo". www.clarin.com. 25 May 2010.
  8. ""Me gusta pelear arriba"". www.ole.com.ar. 24 April 2011.
  9. "Ramon Diaz quits Independiente | Goal.com". www.goal.com.
  10. "Ramon Diaz returns to River Plate after being appointed coach | Goal.com". www.goal.com.
  11. "River Plate claim the Copa Campeonato with victory over San Lorenzo (VIDEO)". 25 May 2014.
  13. "Paraguay name Argentine Diaz as coach". Reuters. 4 December 2014.
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  38. McKirdy, Andrew (25 November 2017). "Urawa Reds clinch Asian Champions League title on late goal against Al Hilal" – via Japan Times Online.
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  42. "Botafogo: Ramón Díaz retirou tumor benigno em cirurgia de emergência e seguirá recuperação no Paraguai" [Botafogo: Ramón Díaz removed benign tumor in emergency surgery and will be recovering in Paraguay] (in Brazilian Portuguese). ESPN Brasil. 14 November 2020. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
  43. "Nota oficial" [Official note] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Botafogo FR. 27 November 2020. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
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  51. Ramón Díaz at National-Football-Teams.com
  52. "FIFA World Youth Championship Japan 1979 – Awards". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. Archived from the original on 6 September 2015. Retrieved 16 June 2019.
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  55. "La AFA homologó la Superfinal de River como una Copa Nacional", Cancha Llena.com, 28 May 2014
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  57. "Al Hilal coach Ramon Diaz on running Real Madrid close: We hope we entertained you". Tribal Football. 12 February 2023.
  58. "سباق الاتحاد والهلال يقودهما إلى جوائز مارس".
  59. "دياز المدرب الأفضل.. وسليتي والمعيوف والعقيدي يحصدون جوائز مايو ويونيو".
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