Oscar Ramirez Costa Rican football player and football coach Date of Birth: 08.12.1964

1. Early Life and Playing Career
2. Coaching Career: From Humble Beginnings to National Team Success
3. International Career
4. Assistant Coaching Roles
5. Costa Rica's Head Coach
6. Post-World Cup and Controversies
7. Personal Life

Early Life and Playing Career

Óscar Antonio Ramírez Hernández was born on December 8, 1964, in San Antonio de Belén, Costa Rica. As a player, he excelled as a midfielder, spending the majority of his career with Liga Deportiva Alajuelense. With the "Red and Black," he won four Costa Rican First Division championships, the 1986 CONCACAF Champions' Cup, and finished second in the 1987 Copa Interamericana. Ramírez also played for Deportivo Saprissa, winning the 1996 Copa Federación, and Belén, where he retired as a footballer in March 2000.

Coaching Career: From Humble Beginnings to National Team Success

Ramírez began his coaching journey at Belén. He earned his opportunity to lead the Costa Rican national team thanks to his remarkable success with Alajuelense, where he served as manager from 2010 to 2015. Under his guidance, the team won the 2010 Invierno, 2011 Verano and Invierno, 2012 Supercopa, and 2013 Invierno championships.

International Career

Ramírez represented Costa Rica on the international stage, debuting for the national team in February 1985. He was instrumental in the country's historic qualification for the 1990 FIFA World Cup in Italy. In 1991 and 1997, he won the Copa Centroamericana with the "Ticos."

Assistant Coaching Roles

Before becoming Costa Rica's head coach, Ramírez gained valuable experience as an assistant manager. He assisted Mauricio Montero at Belén, Hernán Medford at Deportivo Saprissa, and Paulo Wanchope with the national team.

Costa Rica's Head Coach

In August 2015, Ramírez took over as Costa Rica's head coach. He led the team to a respectable performance at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, guiding them to a draw with Switzerland and a memorable 2-0 victory over Serbia. However, their tournament ended with a disappointing defeat to Brazil in the group stage.

Post-World Cup and Controversies

Following Costa Rica's elimination from the 2018 World Cup, the Costa Rican Football Federation decided not to renew Ramírez's contract. His tenure was marred by controversies, including an incident where he failed to name any players from Switzerland's World Cup squad and his inability to recall the name of Belgium's star midfielder, Eden Hazard.

Personal Life

Ramírez is married to Jeanette Delgado and has four children. Despite his weight issues, which have been attributed to his dedication to soccer analysis and a childhood spent eating fried chicken in his father's restaurant, Ramírez is known for his technical ability, leadership, and responsible nature.