Miguel Angel Russo, the coach of the Argentine football team Boca Juniors, has passed away at the age of 69. This sad news was shared by the Argentine Football Association yesterday.
Russo’s health had gotten worse over the past few weeks.
The most recent game that he went to see Boca Juniors play was on September 21. In that match, his team ended up tying 2-2 with Central Cordoba at Boca’s home stadium.
Illness and Official Statements
Boca Juniors has not shared specific information about the coach’s health, but news from Argentina has indicated that he, who was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2017, has recently developed a urinary tract infection.
Boca Juniors released a statement saying they were very saddened by the passing of Russo.
“Miguel has made a lasting impact on our club and will always be remembered for his joy, kindness, and commitment,” it said.
Coaching Career and Legacy
While he was away, his assistant, Claudio Ubeda, took charge of managing the club.
Russo was a man who preferred to speak less and let his work do the talking. He spent over half his life as a coach in soccer and was once considered a candidate to manage the national team. He gained recognition for his time coaching well-known clubs like Boca Juniors, Rosario Central, and Estudiantes de la Plata.
He played his entire football career at Estudiantes from 1975 to 1988. During this time, he was part of a remarkable group of midfield players in Argentine football, alongside notable players like Alejandro Sabella, Marcelo Trobbiani, and Jose Daniel “Bocha” Ponce. Together, they created a lasting impact in the sport.
National Team Aspirations and Lessons Learned
He was chosen to be part of the national soccer team, but he didn’t get the chance to play in the 1986 World Cup, a tournament where Diego Maradona led Argentina to a famous victory.
Years later, Russo reflected on his feelings of frustration about being left out of the games. However, he recalled how legendary coach Carlos Bilardo had told him, “When you become a coach one day, you will understand the reasons better than ever.” In time, Russo came to realize the truth in those words.
Coaching Highlights and Achievements
Russo didn’t have a lot of trophies, but he was great at turning around the success of important teams.
In 2005, he won his first major title with Velez Sarsfield. Later on, at the request of the legendary player Maradona, he became the manager of Boca Juniors. Under his guidance, the team achieved a significant victory in the 2007 Copa Libertadores, which became his biggest success as a coach.
He formed a lasting bond with Rosario Central, a football club he helped keep from being demoted twice. In December 2023, he solidified that connection by winning the League Cup.
In 2017, he took charge of the Colombian soccer team Millonarios and guided them to a championship victory, just one day after finishing cancer treatment. This incredible achievement won him a special place in the hearts of fans in Bogotá.
In June, he took on the role of coach for Boca Juniors for the third time. This came four years after he was let go from his position just after six games into a new season with the team.
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