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Ramón Díaz
Ramón Díaz (25383125054) (2) (cropped).jpg
Díaz as Paraguay manager in 2016
Personal information
Date of birth (1959-08-29) 29 August 1959 (age 65)
Place of birth La Rioja, Argentina
Height 1.73 m
Playing position Striker
Club information
Current club Corinthians (head coach)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1978–1982 River Plate 123 (57)
1982–1983 Napoli 25 (3)
1983–1986 Avellino 78 (22)
1986–1989 Fiorentina 53 (17)
1988–1989 Internazionale (loan) 33 (12)
1989–1991 Monaco 60 (24)
1991–1993 River Plate 52 (27)
1993–1995 Yokohama Marinos 75 (52)
Total 499 (215)
National team
1978–1979 Argentina U20 6 (8)
1979–1982 Argentina 22 (10)
Teams managed
1995–2000 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
2023–2024 Vasco da Gama
2024– Corinthians
  • Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only.
† Appearances (Goals).

Ramón Ángel Díaz (born on August 29, 1959) is a famous Argentine football player and manager. He is currently the head coach for the Brazilian club Corinthians.

Díaz was a great striker for River Plate. He also coached the club three times, winning eight titles. People often call him El Pelado, which means "Baldy".

Ramón Díaz's Playing Career

Starting at River Plate

Ramon diaz elgrafico
Díaz playing for River Plate in 1981

Ramón Díaz was born in La Rioja. He grew up playing for River Plate's youth teams. He was a standout player under his youth coach, Norberto Yácono.

He played his first game for the main team on August 13, 1978. River Plate won 1–0 against Colón. Ramón scored his first goal on August 30, 1978, in a 1–1 draw against Quilmes. He became a regular player and scored 22 goals in the 1980 season.

Playing in Italy

In 1982, Ramón Díaz moved to Italy to play for Napoli in Serie A. He was their top scorer with eight goals in his first season. However, Napoli finished 10th, close to being relegated.

In 1983, he joined Avellino on loan. He played there for three seasons, scoring 11 goals in the 1985–86 season. In 1986, he moved to Fiorentina.

On July 21, 1988, Díaz went to Internazionale on loan. He scored 15 goals that season, being the club's second-best scorer. However, Inter did not buy him permanently.

Monaco and Return to River Plate

In 1989, Díaz moved to the French club Monaco. He helped them win the 1990–91 Coupe de France (French Cup). In 1991, he returned to his first club, River Plate. He was the top scorer in the 1991 Apertura Tournament.

Later in his career, Díaz played for Yokohama Marinos in Japan. He was the top scorer in the J.League in 1993. He also scored 8 goals in the Yokohama derby, making him the all-time top scorer in that local rivalry.

Ramón Díaz for Argentina

Argentina vs urss 1979
Diaz (with the ball) playing for Argentina U20 at the 1979 U-20 World Cup

Díaz was part of the Argentina under-20 team that won the 1979 FIFA World Youth Championship. He played alongside Diego Maradona. Díaz and Maradona were key players, scoring 14 of the team's 20 goals. Díaz scored 8 goals and won the Golden Boot award as the top scorer. Maradona scored 6 goals and was named the Best Player.

Díaz also played in the 1982 FIFA World Cup. He scored a goal against Brazil in a 3–1 loss. There were rumors that he and Maradona had a disagreement, which stopped Díaz from playing in later World Cups. However, Maradona denied this in his book. He said he wanted Díaz on the teams for the 1986 and 1990 World Cups.

Ramón Díaz's Coaching Career

Coaching River Plate

In 1995, Ramón Díaz became the manager of his old club, River Plate. He had planned to play for the club before retiring, but the president asked him to be the manager instead. His first game as coach was a 1–1 draw in the Copa Libertadores.

Díaz led River Plate to win the 1996 Copa Libertadores and the 1997 Supercopa Libertadores. He also won four league titles during his first time as manager. He left the club in February 2000 after a friendly loss and disagreements with the club's leaders.

On June 23, 2001, Díaz returned to coach River Plate. He won another league title in 2002. However, his contract was not renewed, and he left the club on May 20, 2002.

Coaching Oxford United

On December 9, 2004, Díaz became the manager of Oxford United, an English club. He said he wanted to experience English football firsthand. It was also reported that Díaz and his staff were not paid for their work at Oxford United.

He resigned from Oxford on May 4, 2005, after talks about a new contract failed.

Coaching San Lorenzo

On December 24, 2006, Díaz was named head coach of San Lorenzo. He helped the club win the 2007 Clausura Tournament. This was their first title in six years.

Even though San Lorenzo qualified for the 2008 Copa Libertadores, they were knocked out by LDU Quito. Díaz resigned from the club on May 28.

Coaching Club América

On May 15, 2008, Díaz was confirmed as the new coach for Club América in Mexico. He reportedly had a contract worth $1.5 million per year. Díaz's team did not qualify for the Copa Libertadores.

After two league losses, he was fired on February 10, 2009. The club was in 12th place at the time.

Second Time at San Lorenzo

On May 25, 2010, Díaz officially became San Lorenzo's manager for the second time. He signed a one-year contract. After a season where the team finished in the middle of the table, he resigned on April 24, 2011. He said he wanted to "fight for the first positions."

Coaching Independiente

On September 12, 2011, Independiente hired Díaz as their new coach. He resigned on March 5, 2012, because the club was struggling and was at the bottom of the league table.

Third Time at River Plate

On November 30, 2012, Díaz returned to River Plate for his third time as manager. He won the Torneo Final in 2014. He also won the Superfinal against his former team, San Lorenzo, with a 1–0 victory.

Díaz left River Plate on May 27, 2014.

Coaching Paraguay National Team

Ramón Díaz (25920994911) (2)
Díaz during a press conference as Paraguay manager, 2016

On December 5, 2014, Díaz became the manager of the Paraguay national team. He called it "one of the biggest challenges" of his career. His first big tournament was the 2015 Copa América.

Paraguay drew 2–2 with Argentina in their first match. They then beat Jamaica 1–0 and drew 1–1 with Uruguay. This placed them second in their group.

Paraguay won their quarterfinal against Brazil in a penalty shootout. However, they lost 6–1 to Argentina in the semifinals. They finished fourth in the Copa América after losing to Peru. Díaz also coached Paraguay in the Copa América Centenario. Paraguay was eliminated in the group stage.

On June 12, 2016, Díaz resigned as Paraguay's manager after the Copa América Centenario.

Coaching Al-Hilal

On October 13, 2016, Ramón Díaz was appointed manager of Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia. He signed a one-year contract.

2016–17 Season Success

Ramón's first game with Al-Hilal was a 1–0 win against Al-Fateh. On November 25, he won an important match against Al-Ahli 2–1. Al-Hilal drew the Riyadh Derby against Al-Nassr 1–1.

Ramón won against Al-Taawon 4–2 and against Ittihad 3–1. He secured the league title by beating Al-Shabab 2–1. Al-Hilal celebrated winning the league after a 5–1 victory over Al-Nassr. Ramón Díaz extended his contract for another year.

Ramón also led Al-Hilal to finish first in their AFC Champions League group. They qualified for the King's Cup final, which they won 3–2 against Al-Ahli. Al-Hilal reached the quarterfinals of the AFC Champions League under Díaz.

2017–18 Season and Departure

Díaz signed new players for the 2017–18 season, including Omar Kharbin. On August 10, Al-Hilal won their first league match of the season 2–1. They also won their second match 4–3.

On September 11, Díaz helped Al-Hilal reach the semi-finals of the AFC Champions League. On November 18, Al-Hilal drew the first leg of the AFC Champions League final 1–1. However, they lost the second leg 1–0, finishing as runners-up.

On December 1, his team beat title rivals Al-Ahli 2–0. On February 20, Al-Hilal lost 1–0 against Esteghlal. On February 21, 2018, Al-Hilal fired Díaz due to disappointing performances.

Later Coaching Roles

On January 26, 2019, Díaz became the manager of Egyptian club Pyramids FC. He left the club on May 27 after only 12 matches.

On December 17, 2019, Díaz was announced as manager of Libertad in Paraguay. He resigned on September 24, 2020, due to the club's poor performance.

On November 8, 2020, Díaz was named head coach of Brazilian club Botafogo. He had to return to Argentina for emergency surgery. His son, Emiliano Díaz, managed the team in his absence. On November 27, Botafogo announced that Díaz had left the club without coaching a single match.

In February 2021, Díaz signed with Al Nasr in Dubai. He left the club about a year later due to poor league results.

Return to Al Hilal

On February 14, 2022, Díaz returned to coach Al Hilal until the end of the season. He led Al Hilal to beat Flamengo 3–2 in the 2022 FIFA Club World Cup semi-finals. They then lost the final 3–5 against Real Madrid.

In the 2022 AFC Champions League final, his team lost to Urawa Red Diamonds. This was the second time they lost to them in a final. After winning the King Cup final in May 2023, Díaz decided to leave Al-Hilal. He wanted to be with his family after his wife passed away in a car accident. His son, Emiliano, became the temporary manager.

Coaching Vasco da Gama

On July 15, 2023, Díaz returned to Brazil to coach Vasco da Gama. He helped the club avoid being relegated from the top league on the last day of the season. He renewed his contract until 2025.

On April 27, 2024, Vasco da Gama fired Díaz after a 4–0 loss. Díaz and his son said they were fired through Twitter.

Current Role at Corinthians

On July 10, 2024, Díaz was announced as the new head coach of Corinthians. His contract is until December 2025.

Ramón Díaz's Career Statistics

Playing for Clubs

Club Performance League Cup League Cup Total
Season Club League Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Argentina League Cup League Cup Total
1978 River Plate Primera División 14 5 14 5
1979 22 12 22 12
1980 40 22 40 22
1981 47 18 47 18
Italy League Coppa Italia League Cup Total
1982–83 Napoli Serie A 25 3 25 3
1983–84 Avellino Serie A 24 7 24 7
1984–85 27 5 27 5
1985–86 27 10 27 10
1986–87 Fiorentina Serie A 29 10 29 10
1987–88 24 7 24 7
1988–89 Internazionale Serie A 33 12 7 1 3 2 43 15
France League Coupe de France Coupe de la Ligue Total
1989–90 Monaco Division 1 28 15 28 15
1990–91 32 9 32 9
Argentina League Cup League Cup Total
1991–92 River Plate Primera División 31 20 31 20
1992–93 21 7 21 7
Japan League Emperor's Cup J.League Cup Total
1993 Yokohama Marinos J1 League 32 28 3 1 5 3 40 32
1994 37 23 4 2 3 1 44 26
1995 6 1 0 0 - 6 1
Country Argentina 175 84 175 84
Italy 189 54 189 54
France 60 24 60 24
Japan 75 52 7 3 8 4 90 59
Total 499 214 7 3 8 4 514 221

Playing for Argentina National Team

Argentina u20 ramon diaz festeja final
Díaz celebrating a goal at the 1979 FIFA U-20 World Cup
Argentina National Team
Year Apps Goals
1979 1 1
1980 9 4
1981 4 1
1982 8 4
Total 22 10

Managerial Statistics

Managerial Record by Team and Time
Team Nat. From To Record Ref
G W D L GF GA GD Win %
River Plate Argentina 8 July 1995 11 February 2000 &&&&&&&&&&&&0252.&&&&&0252 &&&&&&&&&&&&0126.&&&&&0126 &&&&&&&&&&&&&066.&&&&&066 &&&&&&&&&&&&&060.&&&&&060 &&&&&&&&&&&&0451.&&&&&0451 &&&&&&&&&&&&0303.&&&&&0303 +148 &&&&&&&&&&&&&050.&&&&&050.00
River Plate Argentina 1 July 2001 30 June 2002 &&&&&&&&&&&&&052.&&&&&052 &&&&&&&&&&&&&029.&&&&&029 &&&&&&&&&&&&&014.&&&&&014 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&09.&&&&&09 &&&&&&&&&&&&0111.&&&&&0111 &&&&&&&&&&&&&049.&&&&&049 +62 &&&&&&&&&&&&&055.77000055.77
Oxford United England 9 December 2004 4 May 2005 &&&&&&&&&&&&&025.&&&&&025 &&&&&&&&&&&&&010.&&&&&010 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&07.&&&&&07 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&08.&&&&&08 &&&&&&&&&&&&&048.&&&&&048 &&&&&&&&&&&&&056.&&&&&056 −8 &&&&&&&&&&&&&040.&&&&&040.00
San Lorenzo Argentina 24 December 2006 12 June 2008 &&&&&&&&&&&&&068.&&&&&068 &&&&&&&&&&&&&037.&&&&&037 &&&&&&&&&&&&&014.&&&&&014 &&&&&&&&&&&&&017.&&&&&017 &&&&&&&&&&&&0104.&&&&&0104 &&&&&&&&&&&&&077.&&&&&077 +27 &&&&&&&&&&&&&054.41000054.41
América Mexico 25 June 2008 12 February 2009 &&&&&&&&&&&&&024.&&&&&024 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&07.&&&&&07 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&09.&&&&&09 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&08.&&&&&08 &&&&&&&&&&&&&047.&&&&&047 &&&&&&&&&&&&&050.&&&&&050 −3 &&&&&&&&&&&&&029.17000029.17
San Lorenzo Argentina 25 May 2010 24 April 2011 &&&&&&&&&&&&&030.&&&&&030 &&&&&&&&&&&&&010.&&&&&010 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&09.&&&&&09 &&&&&&&&&&&&&011.&&&&&011 &&&&&&&&&&&&&029.&&&&&029 &&&&&&&&&&&&&029.&&&&&029 +0 &&&&&&&&&&&&&033.33000033.33
Independiente Argentina 12 September 2011 5 March 2012 &&&&&&&&&&&&&020.&&&&&020 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&07.&&&&&07 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&05.&&&&&05 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&08.&&&&&08 &&&&&&&&&&&&&021.&&&&&021 &&&&&&&&&&&&&020.&&&&&020 +1 &&&&&&&&&&&&&035.&&&&&035.00
River Plate Argentina 30 November 2012 27 May 2014 &&&&&&&&&&&&&066.&&&&&066 &&&&&&&&&&&&&030.&&&&&030 &&&&&&&&&&&&&017.&&&&&017 &&&&&&&&&&&&&019.&&&&&019 &&&&&&&&&&&&&077.&&&&&077 &&&&&&&&&&&&&056.&&&&&056 +21 &&&&&&&&&&&&&045.45000045.45
Paraguay Paraguay 4 December 2014 12 June 2016 &&&&&&&&&&&&&020.&&&&&020 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&03.&&&&&03 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&09.&&&&&09 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&08.&&&&&08 &&&&&&&&&&&&&011.&&&&&011 &&&&&&&&&&&&&022.&&&&&022 −11 &&&&&&&&&&&&&015.&&&&&015.00
Al-Hilal Saudi Arabia 15 October 2016 20 February 2018 &&&&&&&&&&&&&065.&&&&&065 &&&&&&&&&&&&&041.&&&&&041 &&&&&&&&&&&&&018.&&&&&018 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&06.&&&&&06 &&&&&&&&&&&&&083.&&&&&083 &&&&&&&&&&&&&050.&&&&&050 +33 &&&&&&&&&&&&&063.&8000063.08
Al-Ittihad Saudi Arabia 1 July 2018 15 September 2018 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&04.&&&&&04 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&00.&&&&&00 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&01.&&&&&01 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&03.&&&&&03 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&01.&&&&&01 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&06.&&&&&06 −5 &0&&&&&&&&&&&&&&00.&&&&&00.00
Pyramids Egypt 14 February 2019 27 May 2019 &&&&&&&&&&&&&013.&&&&&013 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&08.&&&&&08 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&04.&&&&&04 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&01.&&&&&01 &&&&&&&&&&&&&018.&&&&&018 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&09.&&&&&09 +9 &&&&&&&&&&&&&061.54000061.54
Libertad Paraguay 20 December 2019 24 September 2020 &&&&&&&&&&&&&024.&&&&&024 &&&&&&&&&&&&&014.&&&&&014 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&04.&&&&&04 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&06.&&&&&06 &&&&&&&&&&&&&045.&&&&&045 &&&&&&&&&&&&&029.&&&&&029 +16 &&&&&&&&&&&&&058.33000058.33
Botafogo Brazil 4 November 2020 27 November 2020 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&00.&&&&&00 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&00.&&&&&00 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&00.&&&&&00 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&00.&&&&&00 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&00.&&&&&00 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&00.&&&&&00 +0 !
Al Nasr United Arab Emirates 4 February 2021 7 February 2022 &&&&&&&&&&&&&037.&&&&&037 &&&&&&&&&&&&&014.&&&&&014 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&08.&&&&&08 &&&&&&&&&&&&&015.&&&&&015 &&&&&&&&&&&&&058.&&&&&058 &&&&&&&&&&&&&046.&&&&&046 +12 &&&&&&&&&&&&&037.84000037.84
Al-Hilal Saudi Arabia 14 February 2022 14 May 2023 &&&&&&&&&&&&&060.&&&&&060 &&&&&&&&&&&&&039.&&&&&039 &&&&&&&&&&&&&012.&&&&&012 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&09.&&&&&09 &&&&&&&&&&&&0116.&&&&&0116 &&&&&&&&&&&&&058.&&&&&058 +58 &&&&&&&&&&&&&065.&&&&&065.00
Vasco da Gama Brazil 15 July 2023 27 April 2024 &&&&&&&&&&&&&041.&&&&&041 &&&&&&&&&&&&&017.&&&&&017 &&&&&&&&&&&&&011.&&&&&011 &&&&&&&&&&&&&013.&&&&&013 &&&&&&&&&&&&&058.&&&&&058 &&&&&&&&&&&&&052.&&&&&052 +6 &&&&&&&&&&&&&041.46000041.46
Corinthians Brazil 10 July 2024 present &&&&&&&&&&&&&037.&&&&&037 &&&&&&&&&&&&&020.&&&&&020 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&09.&&&&&09 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&08.&&&&&08 &&&&&&&&&&&&&063.&&&&&063 &&&&&&&&&&&&&037.&&&&&037 +26 &&&&&&&&&&&&&054.&5000054.05
Total &&&&&&&&&&&&0838.&&&&&0838 &&&&&&&&&&&&0412.&&&&&0412 &&&&&&&&&&&&0216.&&&&&0216 &&&&&&&&&&&&0210.&&&&&0210 &&&&&&&&&&&01371.&&&&&01,371 &&&&&&&&&&&&0926.&&&&&0926 +445 &&&&&&&&&&&&&049.16000049.16

Awards and Achievements

As a Player

River Plate

  • Primera División Argentina: 1979 Metropolitano, 1979 Nacional, 1980 Metropolitano, 1981 Nacional, 1991 Apertura
  • Supercopa Libertadores runner-up: 1991

Internazionale

Monaco

Yokohama Marinos

Argentina U20

Individual Awards

As a Manager

River Plate

  • Primera División Argentina: 1996 Apertura, 1997 Clausura, 1997 Apertura, 1999 Apertura, 2002 Clausura, 2014 Final
  • Superfinal: 2013–14
  • Copa Libertadores: 1996
  • Supercopa Libertadores: 1997
  • Intercontinental Cup runner-up: 1996
  • Recopa Sudamericana runner-up: 1997, 1998

San Lorenzo

  • Primera División Argentina: 2007 Clausura

Al-Hilal

Al-Ittihad

  • Saudi Super Cup runner-up: 2018

Al-Nasr

  • UAE League Cup runner-up: 2020–21
  • UAE President's Cup runner-up: 2020–21

Individual Awards

Images for kids

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Ramón Díaz (entrenador argentino) para niños

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