5. RICARDO LA VOLPE: Argentine to coach Boca

• by Soccer America , Aug 23, 2006

Ricardo La Volpe is returning to his native Argentina to coach Boca Juniors, the legendary Buenos Aires club, after spending more than two decades in Mexico.

La Volpe, the No. 3 goalie on Argentina's 1978 World Cup championship team, finished his playing career in Mexico, then had a successful career as a club coach before being named Mexico's national team coach in late 2002.

He coached the Tri for the last four years, leading it to the 2003 Gold Cup title, the quarterfinals at the 2004 Copa America, fourth place at the 2005 Confederations Cup and the round of 16 at the 2006 World Cup, but he often clashed with the Mexican media. At first, he turned down the Boca job, saying he wasn't familiar enough with the Argentine soccer scene. "I'm proud to be in charge of a team like Boca Juniors, one of the world's great clubs," he said. "It's a big responsibility."

The chain-smoking La Volpe replaces Coco Basile, Argentina's new national team coach. Basile, who previously coached Argentina's national team, led Boca to a league double in the 2005-06 season.