By Scott Gleba

GUATEMALA CITY -- The Guatemalan Football Federation announced the appointment of Ever Hugo Almeida as its Technical Director of National Teams today at a press conference in Guatemala City.

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The 62-year-old Paraguayan will take charge of both the national and under-20 teams and his staff will be comprised of his son, Ivan Almeida, and Gustavo Bobadilla.

"With the arrival of Professor Almeida, we begin the process of the new era of football in Guatemala," said Dr. Bryan Jimenez, president of the Guatemalan Football Federation. "We will work for the optimal development of our selections."

Almeida was born in Uruguay and became a naturalized Paraguayan in 1975, making 22 appearances in goal for his adopted country. He is considered by many to be a legendary figure for Olimpia, a popular Paraguayan team. As a player with the Asuncion-based club, he won numerous titles, including 10 domestic championships, two Copa Libertadores and an Intercontinental Cup.

After a successful playing career, Almeida coached clubs in Paraguay, Ecuador and Guatemala. From 2001-2003, he guided Guatemala City-side Comunicaciones to three titles.

In addition to extensive club experience in Latin America, Almeida led host Paraguay to a quarterfinal place at the 1999 Copa America, where it fell to Uruguay on penalty kicks after a 1-1 draw.

Almeida, who signed an 18-month contract, told Guatemalan newspaper Siglo XX, "I am coming with a lot desire and the idea is to do a good job. I am going to need the help of the executives and the presidents of the clubs to do something…But if there's no help, it's not worth anything. I am not coming, as they say here, to scratch my belly and spend time on vacation."

One of Almeida's priorities will be to qualify Guatemala for the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup.After making seven-straight appearances in the event, the Chapines failed to a secure a place in the 2009 edition, dropping a 2-0 decision to Nicaragua in the fifth place game of the UNCAF Nations Cup.