Oscar Ramirez (pictured) was a standout player and head coach for Alajuelense. (Photo: Imagenes en Costa Rica)
ALAJUELA, Costa Rica – Alajuelense revealed at a press conference Tuesday that head coach Oscar Ramirez will not return to the club for the 2015 Invierno season.
The change in managerial direction brings closure to an era marked by multiple domestic and international successes under the 50-year-old, who led the Manudos to five titles in nine short tournaments and appearances in four editions of the Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League (SCCL).
"We will live eternally grateful to Don Oscar,” said club director Marco Vasquez. “He gave so much to La Liga and this will always be his home for an eventual return. The decision was taken between President Raul Pinto and the coach himself. We ended the employment relationship on good terms and we wish the best for him and for the team.”
With Ramirez at the helm, Alajuelense won five domestic league titles (2010 Invierno, 2011 Verano, 2011 Invierno, 2012 Invierno and 2013 Inviero) and finished runner-up twice (2014 Verano, 2015 Verano).
The former Costa Rica international, who played in the 1990 FIFA World Cup, also took the Manudos to two straight SCCL semifinals (2013/14, 2014/15).
Herediano prevailed over Alajuelense on penalty kicks, 3-2, in the 2015 Verano final after the series ended 3-3 on aggregate.
