Former KAA Gent player Bryan Ruiz has been appointed interim head coach of Costa Rica. The 41-year-old takes over following the dismissal of Fernando Batista.
Ruiz is taking his first major step into coaching. He earned 147 caps for Costa Rica as a player and featured in three FIFA World Cups. After his spell with Gent from 2006 to 2009, he played for clubs including FC Twente, Fulham, and Sporting Lisbon. He ended his playing career at LD Alajuelense in his native Costa Rica.
The new coach has immediate fixtures to prepare for. His first match in charge will be against Nicaragua, followed by a game against Haiti. Batista was dismissed after Costa Rica failed to qualify for the previous World Cup and suffered defeats to Haiti and Curaçao in the CONCACAF Nations League.
The appointment comes as his former club Gent enjoys strong form. The Buffaloes are second in the Jupiler Pro League with 19 points from seven games. The team is unbeaten in its last five matches, with four wins and a draw. The next fixture is an away match against Zulte Waregem, who sit sixth in the table.
Ruiz begins his coaching career with an immediate challenge. Preparing for the matches against Nicaragua and Haiti is now his top priority.
Read the full report at Sporza Voetbal
