Costa Rica have officially appointed former captain Bryan Ruiz as the permanent manager of the men's national team, with the task of guiding the side back to the World Cup finals in 2030. The Costa Rican Football Federation Executive Committee finalised contract terms for his permanent appointment.
Appointment and mandate
According to the federation's official statement, the decision is intended to provide continuity and consolidate a new stage. Ruiz was originally appointed on September 28 after Fernando Batista was dismissed.
Results during interim spell
Ruiz recalled Keylor Navas after taking over on an interim basis. Costa Rica then beat Nicaragua 3-0 and Haiti 2-0 at Estadio Ricardo Saprissa, and those two wins preserved the team's CONCACAF Nations League A status.
Coaching staff and experience
This is Ruiz's first permanent senior managerial role. He previously worked in the youth setup and as an assistant at Liga Deportiva Alajuelense, where he oversaw two first-team games on an emergency basis.
Ruiz has named Wilmer Lopez and Christian Bolanos as assistant coaches alongside video analyst Ariel Gonzalez. Wardy Alfaro will join the coaching staff as an assistant in January.
Playing career and upcoming matches
During his playing career, Ruiz represented Twente, PSV Eindhoven, Fulham, Sporting CP and Santos before retiring at Alajuelense in 2022. He captained Costa Rica at the 2014, 2018 and 2022 World Cups.
GOAL reported that Costa Rica missed out on the 2026 tournament under Miguel Herrera and endured a string of Nations League setbacks under Batista. Ruiz will take charge of his first matches as permanent boss when Costa Rica travel to face Ecuador on November 13 and Argentina four days later.