Introduction
Reinaldo Rueda Rivera (born April 16, 1957 in Cali) is a Colombian football manager who currently is in charge of the Atletico Nacional in the Colombian league. In 2011, Rueda was naturalized as a Honduran citizen.
Rueda's claim to fame came during his years as the Colombian Youth Coach. With the Colombian U-20 team, he finished 3rd in the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship. He also led the Colombian U-17 team to a 4th-place finish that same year at the U-17 World Cup.
After an unfavorable start to 2006 World Cup Qualifying, (only 1 point after 5 games) the Colombian Football Federation promoted Rueda to Senior Coach. Colombia failed to qualify to the 2006 World Cup, but Rueda made a big impact. The team would have finished near last on the CONMEBOL qualification but ended up in 6th place. Honduras, under his direction, succeeded in gaining a place in the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Background and Career
Rueda holds a Physical Education degree. Deutsche Sporthochschule Köln, Germany gave him his master's degree as well as proficiency in the German language. He has been a University professor and has taught several courses at the Colombian National Coaches School. He has continued his studies in Europe attending FIFA and UEFA updating courses.
As a soccer player, Reinaldo Rueda played for emergent clubs in amateur and college competitions.
In Colombia, Reinaldo Rueda was coach of Independiente Medellín, Deportivo Cali and Cortuluá.
Colombian National Team
As a coach, Rueda has been in charge of the Colombian U-17, U-20, U-21, U-23, and Senior teams.
Rueda made the final qualifying rounds with the Colombian U-21 in the Toulon Tournament in France in 2000 and 2001.
In the first tournament, Rueda's team beat Ireland 1–0, Ghana 4–1, and Côte d'Ivoire 3–1. Against Portugal on June 3, Colombia won the championship in a game that ended in a penalty shootouts (3–1).
In 2001, the Colombian team also got to the finals but this time finished second.
At the U-20 tournament in Uruguay 2003, Reinaldo Rueda assured his Colombian team a ticket to the FIFA U-20 World Cup after no Colombian appearance for 10 years.
Honduras National Team
Rueda took the helm of the Honduran national side in January 2007. He has been widely regarded as a huge success, as Honduras has qualified for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. However he came under intense scrutiny following criticism of his tactics as the team exited the World Cup at the first stage.
On July 28, 2010, Reinaldo Rueda has stepped down as Honduras coach after three years at the helm.
Managerial stats
Statistics accurate as of 21 December 2016.
| Team | Nat | From | To | Record | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | W | D | L | Win % | ||||||
| Colombia |  |
September 2002 | September 2006 | 7001210000000000000♠21 | 7000800000000000000♠8 | 7000400000000000000♠4 | 7000900000000000000♠9 | 7001381000000000000♠38.10 | ||
| Honduras |  |
January 2007 | July 2010 | 7001450000000000000♠45 | 7001210000000000000♠21 | 7000600000000000000♠6 | 7001180000000000000♠18 | 7001466700000000000♠46.67 | ||
| Ecuador |  |
August 2010 | June 2014 | 7001450000000000000♠45 | 7001180000000000000♠18 | 7001140000000000000♠14 | 7001130000000000000♠13 | 7001400000000000000♠40.00 | ||
| Atlético Nacional | |
June 2015 | Present | 7001820000000000000♠82 | 7001480000000000000♠48 | 7001230000000000000♠23 | 7001110000000000000♠11 | 7001585400000000000♠58.54 | ||
| Total | 7002190000000000000♠190 | 7001930000000000000♠93 | 7001470000000000000♠47 | 7001500000000000000♠50 | 7001489500000000000♠48.95 | |||||
Honors
- Categoría Primera A (1): 2015 Finalización
- Superliga Colombiana (1): 2016
- Copa Libertadores (1): 2016
- Copa Colombia (1) : 2016
- Recopa Sudamericana (1) : 2017