Jorge Luis Pinto of Colombia has agreed to return as coach of Costa Rica’s national soccer team.
He will replace Ricardo La Volpe of Argentina, who resigned in August.
“We have arrived at a verbal agreement with Pinto,” Costa Rica soccer federation president Eduardo Li said Thursday. “We have spoken to him in order that he take control of the Tricolor (national team).”
Federation spokeswoman Gina Escobar told the AP the appointment will be confirmed in the next few days.
The 58-year-old Pinto coached the Costa Rican club Alajuelense to league titles in 2003 and 2004. He was also in charge during Costa Rica’s qualifying campaign for the 2006 World Cup. He was fired for poor results, although the team did eventually qualify for the tournament.
The Costa Rican team is in the United States, preparing for warmup games against the U.S. on Friday and Ecuador on Sept. 6 under interim coach Ronald Gonzalez. Pinto’s first match as coach would appear to be Oct. 7 at home against Brazil.
