Anibal Ruiz (pictured) will lead Municipal during the 2014 Guatemalan Clausura. (Photo: FIFA via Getty Images)
GUATEMALA CITY, Guatemala – Veteran manager Anibal Ruiz is the new head coach of Municipal, the Guatemalan club announced on Friday. The Uruguayan, who guided Paraguay at the 2006 FIFA World Cup finals in Germany, is expected to be introduced at a press conference on December 30.
Ruiz possesses abundant experience in the CONCACAF region, especially in Mexico. From 1989-2007, he had seven stints at clubs, including Necaxa, Veracruz, Puebla and
Leon.
The 71-year-old has won domestic titles with Paraguay’s Olimpia (1985) and San Martin of Peru (2010).
In 1992, Ruiz was in charge of El Salvador, experiencing great success in World Cup Qualifying for USA 1994. The Cuscatlecos toppled Nicaragua 10-1 in a two-legged series, before winning Group B in the second round. Away wins over Canada (3-2) and Jamaica (2-0) highlighted his relatively short tenure.
Municipal has won 29 Guatemalan championships, but none since the 2011 Apertura. It has made four CONCACAF Champions League appearances.
The Reds returned to training Friday under the leadership of assistants Juan Carlos Plata and Jorge Gramajo with 21 players, including forward Angelo Padilla, a recent addition from Costa Rica’s Puntarenas.
The 2014 Guatemala Clausura opens on January 18.
