Eduardo Berizzo

Manuel Eduardo Berizzo Magnolo (Latin American Spanish: [eˈðwaɾðo βeˈɾiso]; born 13 November 1969) is an Argentine former footballer who played as a central defender, currently a manager.

During his 18-year professional career he played for six teams in four countries, mainly Newell's Old Boys, River Plate and Celta. He represented Argentina in two Copa América tournaments.

Berizzo managed in the top leagues of Argentina, Chile and Spain, leading O'Higgins to their first major honours and taking charge of three La Liga teams including Celta. He was also head coach of the national teams of Paraguay and Chile, going to two Copa América editions with the former.

Club career

Newell's and Atlas

Born in Cruz Alta, Marcos Juárez, Córdoba, Berizzo was playing in a children's league when he and friend Dario Franco were scouted for Newell's Old Boys by manager Marcelo Bielsa. He helped the team to two Primera División titles, as well as the Copa Libertadores finals of 1988 and 1992, lost to Club Nacional de Football and São Paulo FC, respectively; in the latter final, he scored the only goal of the first leg from a penalty kick, but was the first to miss in the penalty shootout that decided the tie at the Estádio do Morumbi. He was part of a trio within the team known as Los tres chiflados ("The Three Stooges"), taking the role of Moe alongside Julio Saldaña (Larry) and Alfredo Berti (Curly).