Matías Almeyda Explained

Matías Almeyda
Upright:1.1
Full Name:Matías Jesús Almeyda
Birth Date:21 December 1973
Birth Place:Azul, Argentina
Height:1.74 m[1]
Position:Defensive midfielder
Currentclub:AEK Athens (manager)
Years1:1991–1996
Clubs1:River Plate
Caps1:68
Goals1:3
Years2:1996–1997
Clubs2:Sevilla
Caps2:28
Goals2:0
Years3:1997–2000
Clubs3:Lazio
Caps3:63
Goals3:2
Years4:2000–2002
Clubs4:Parma
Caps4:34
Goals4:0
Years5:2002–2004
Clubs5:Inter Milan
Caps5:47
Goals5:1
Years6:2004–2005
Clubs6:Brescia
Caps6:5
Goals6:0
Years7:2005
Clubs7:Quilmes
Caps7:10
Goals7:0
Years8:2007
Clubs8:Lyn
Caps8:2
Goals8:0
Years9:2009
Clubs9:Fénix
Caps9:4
Goals9:0
Years10:2009–2011
Clubs10:River Plate
Caps10:64
Goals10:0
Totalcaps:324
Totalgoals:6
Nationalyears1:1992
Nationalteam1:Argentina U20
Nationalcaps1:1
Nationalgoals1:0
Nationalyears2:1995–1996
Nationalteam2:Argentina U23
Nationalcaps2:13
Nationalgoals2:0
Nationalyears3:1996–2003
Nationalteam3:Argentina
Nationalcaps3:40
Nationalgoals3:1
Manageryears1:2011–2012
Managerclubs1:River Plate
Manageryears2:2013–2015
Managerclubs2:Banfield
Manageryears3:2015–2018
Managerclubs3:Guadalajara
Manageryears4:2018–2022
Managerclubs4:San Jose Earthquakes
Managerclubs5:AEK Athens
Manageryears5:2022–

Matías Jesús Almeyda (pronounced as /es/; born 21 December 1973) is an Argentine professional football manager and former player who is the current manager of Greek Super League club AEK Athens.

Nicknamed El Pelado ("bald one") despite his traditionally long hair,[2] he played as a defensive midfielder and spent most of his career at River Plate and in Italy, representing four teams in the latter country.

Almeyda represented Argentina, appearing with the national team in two World Cups. After retiring in 2011, he went on to manage River Plate, Banfield, Guadalajara, San Jose Earthquakes and AEK Athens.

Playing career

Club

Born in Azul, Buenos Aires Province, Almeyda started playing professionally for local and national powerhouse River Plate, first as understudy to Leonardo Astrada then as a starter, helping the side to the 1996 Primera División title after his insertion in the starting XI, as well as that year's Copa Libertadores. Shortly after, he moved to Sevilla in Spain, for a record fee for a player in the country of $9 million;[3] he appeared regularly in his first and only season with the Andalusians, but suffered La Liga relegation.[4]

Almeyda played in the Italian Serie A in the following eight years, successively representing Lazio, Parma and Inter Milan. He spent three seasons in Rome with Lazio, becoming a firm fan favourite especially after scoring a 35-yard goal against Parma's Gianluigi Buffon, his only of the 1999–2000 campaign, which ended with league and Coppa Italia conquest.[5] Additionally, he was voted the competition's best player in 1998–99, and also won – as a starter – the last UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, against Mallorca,[6] and was often partnered with compatriot Juan Sebastián Verón in the heart of midfield by manager Sven-Göran Eriksson in his 4–4–2 formation, with Verón providing the creativity and Almeyda the strength.[7] [8]

In the summer of 2002, Almeyda was exchanged with Vratislav Greško and moved to Inter, where he was again partnered by compatriots as in his previous clubs. Two years later, he joined his final team in Italy, lowly Brescia, on a free transfer.[9] The following year, after the team's relegation as second from bottom, he returned to Argentina and agreed to play for Quilmes, which appeared at the Libertadores, announcing his retirement after their elimination from that tournament.[10]

After one and a half years away from football, in which he represented Argentina in a Showball tour around the world alongside Diego Maradona and participated in the Indoor Football World Cup in Spain, Almeyda joined Norwegian Premier League side Lyn in Oslo, in which he was accompanied by compatriot José Oscar Flores; their friend Terje Liverod was central in these transfers.[11] The midfielder made his debut on 13 May 2007, but only played regularly in the reserves and in the domestic cup, being released as the striker shortly after and again retiring from football.

On 16 January 2009, at almost 36, Almeyda, after nearly agreeing on a return to River, signed with modest Fénix in the fourth division.[12] During his brief spell, he managed to be sent off on two occasions.[13]

On 19 August 2009, veteran Almeyda finally re-joined his main club River Plate, teaming up with former teammates Marcelo Gallardo and Ariel Ortega.[2] In June 2011, the team was relegated to the second level for the first time in their history and he retired from football, being appointed team manager the following month.[14]

International

Almeyda won 35 caps for Argentina over the course of seven years, his debut coming in April 1996 against Bolivia.[15] Shortly after, he helped the Olympic side to the silver medal at the Summer Olympics in Atlanta.[16]

Subsequently, Almeyda was picked in the squad for the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France. He started in all five games during the tournament, as the country reached the quarter–finals.[17]

After Marcelo Bielsa became Argentina's manager, Almeyda did not get as much playing time.[18] [19] He was, however, selected for the 2002 World Cup which was held in South Korea and Japan, and played in the 1–1 group stage draw against Sweden.[16]

Managerial career

River Plate

Almeyda spent 18 months in charge at River Plate, winning the Primera B Nacional and earning promotion back to the top division at the end of the 2011–12 season. He left the club in November 2012.[20]

Banfield

In early April 2013, Almeyda signed with Banfield in the Argentine second level.[21] During his spell, he won the league title, once again to be subsequently promoted.

Guadalajara

On 15 September 2015, Almeyda was appointed manager at Guadalajara of the Mexican Liga MX,[22] proclaiming he wanted to "awaken the giant."[23] He won his first four matches in charge, including one against rivals Club América on 26 September by a score of 2–1 at the Estadio Azteca.[24]

On 4 November 2015, after nine years of a title hiatus, Almeyda's team won the Copa MX after defeating Club León by a score of 1–0.[25] On 10 July 2016, they played their first ever Supercopa MX and won their second trophy in under a year by besting C.D. Veracruz 2–0, and as a result qualified to the Libertadores for the first time since 2012,[26] but ultimately did not participate as a result of scheduling conflicts.[27]

On 19 April 2017, Almeyda led Chivas to their fourth Copa MX title, defeating Monarcas Morelia in a penalty shootout after a 0–0 draw.[28] After placing third overall in the Clausura's general table, the final second leg was played at the Estadio Chivas on 28 May 2017 and the hosts won their 12th title in the competition after besting Tigres UANL by an aggregate of 4–3; thus, they became the first team in Mexican history to win the double in a single season on two occasions.[28]

Almeyda won the 2018 edition of the CONCACAF Champions League with the club,[29] and as a result qualified for that year's FIFA Club World Cup.[30] On 11 June 2018, however, he left, citing differences with an executive.[31] [32]

San Jose Earthquakes

On 8 October 2018, Almeyda was appointed as the new head coach of Major League Soccer club San Jose Earthquakes, starting with the 2019 season.[33] He attained 44 points within the Western Conference, missing the playoff berth by one win.[34]

The following campaign, Almeyda's side managed to reach the playoffs, facing Sporting Kansas City in the first round but losing following a 3–0 penalty shoot-out after a 3–3 tie.[35]

On 18 April 2022, Almeyda and San Jose Earthquakes parted ways, two days after the team drew 2–2 with Nashville SC.[36]

AEK Athens

On 20 May 2022, Almeyda signed a two-year contract with Greek Super League club AEK Athens. The contract includes a one-year renewal option, subject to performance satisfaction.[37] On 10 January 2023, Almeyda renewed his contract with AEK until 2028. Almeyda went on to win the 2022–23 Super League Greece five points ahead of second place Panathinaikos and win the Greek Cup over PAOK in his debut season, giving AEK Athens their first double since 1978.[38] Next year, Almeyda led AEK Athens to the Europa League group stage (three years after the last European presence in a group stage for AEK).

Style of play

A tenacious, dynamic and physically strong player in spite of his diminutive stature, Almeyda excelled in a midfield holding role due to his stamina, tactical awareness, reactions, anticipation and work rate, as well as his ability to press opponents and break down opposition plays which allowed him to protect his team's back-line. Although he earned a reputation in the media as a hard tackler, due to his "no-nonsense style of play," he was gifted with good feet and passing ability, which enabled him to start attacking plays after winning back possession; he also stood out for his leadership throughout his career. During his time in Italy, pundits likened him to his rival, Dutch holding midfielder Edgar Davids of Juventus, although Almeyda believed that Davids was more offensive-minded, while he preferred to focus on the defensive aspect of the game in order to support his more creative and offensive teammates. Due to his diminutive stature, tackling, and ability to cover a lot of ground during matches, Almeyda was given the nickname el tractorito ("the little tractor," in Spanish) in the media.[15] [39] [40] [41] [42] [43] [44] [45] [46]

Career statistics

Club

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition[47]
ClubSeasonLeagueCupContinentalOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
River Plate1991–92Primera División200020
1992–93201030
1993–941401000150
1994–9525181332
1995–96242201443
1996–971000
Total68310292985
Sevilla1996–97La Liga28020300
Lazio1997–98Serie A1902070280
1998–992515060361
1999–2000191208010301
Total6329021010942
Parma2000–01Serie A1603040230
2001–021804050270
Total3407090500
Inter Milan2002–03Serie A16000101261
2003–041103070210
Total27030171471
Brescia2004–05Serie A500050
Quilmes2005–06Primera División1000050150
Lyn2007Tippeligaen202343
Fénix2008–09Primera C Metropolitana4040
River Plate2009–10Primera División32000320
2010–1130000300
Total62000620
Career total30452338131040911

International

Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Argentina199660
199760
1998110
200031
200150
200240
200350
Total401

Score and result list Argentina's goal tally first, score column indicates score after Almeyda goal.

Managerial statistics

[49]

Managerial record by team and tenure
TeamNatFromToRecord
GWDLGFGAGDWin %
River Plate1 July 201127 November 2012
Banfield21 April 20133 August 2015
Guadalajara[50] 15 September 201511 June 2018
8 October 201818 April 2022
AEK Athens18 Μay 2022present
Total

Honours

Player

River Plate[51]

1993 Apertura, 1994 Apertura, 1996 Apertura

Lazio[51]

1999–2000

1998

1998–99

1999

Parma[51]

Argentina[16]

Individual

Manager

River Plate[49]

2011–12

Banfield[49]

Guadalajara[49] [28]

Clausura 2017

Apertura 2015, Clausura 2017

2016

2018[29]

AEK Athens

2022–23

2022–23

Individual

2018[56]

2022–23

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: MATIAS ALMEYDA - gazzetta. gazzetta.it.
  2. News: Tenía muchas ganas. I wanted this very badly. Olé. Calegari. Rodrigo. es. 19 August 2009. 20 August 2009.
  3. News: El Sevilla paga 1. 160 millones por Almeyda, fichaje récord del fútbol argentino. Sevilla pay 1. 160 million for Almeyda, Argentine football record signing. El País. Ares. Carlos. es. 31 August 1996. 30 October 2017.
  4. News: Almeyda: "Cuando salía a la cancha oía cómo la gente decía que dónde estaba el verdadero Almeyda". Almeyda: "When I took the pitch I heard people wondering where the real Almeyda was". ABC. es. 9 July 2007. 30 October 2017.
  5. News: Ricordi e gol di Parma Lazio. Memories and goals of Parma Lazio. La Repubblica. it. 12 February 2010. 5 November 2017.
  6. Web site: Matias Almeyda. BBC Sport. 22 May 2002. 12 May 2010.
  7. News: Una Lazio mostruosa. Monster Lazio. La Gazzetta dello Sport. Condò. Paolo. it. 17 October 1999. 30 October 2017.
  8. News: How Sven-Goran Eriksson's Lazio won the great Serie A title race of 1999–2000. The Guardian. Newman. Blair. 30 March 2015. 30 October 2017.
  9. Web site: Brescia boosted by Almeyda. UEFA. 24 August 2004. 6 December 2010.
  10. News: 10 cosas que tal vez no sabías de 'El Pelado' Almeyda. 10 things you maybe did not know about 'El Pelado' Almeyda. Marca. Torres. Fabián. es. 29 May 2017. 30 October 2017.
  11. News: Almeyda y el 'Turu' Flores regresan al fútbol en la Liga noruega. Almeyda and Turu Flores return to football in the Norwegian League. El Mundo. es. 26 March 2007. 12 August 2010.
  12. Web site: Almeyda: de refuerzo de River a la Primera C. Almeyda: from River signing to Primera C. DERF. es. 16 January 2009. 21 July 2009.
  13. Web site: Fine form and favoured targets. FIFA. 24 February 2010. 12 August 2010. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20100227031948/http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/statisticsandrecords/news/newsid=1173005.html#fine+form+favoured+targets. 27 February 2010.
  14. News: Matías Almeyda pasa de jugador a entrenador en River. Matías Almeyda goes from player to manager in River. Marca. es. 28 June 2011. 9 November 2012.
  15. Web site: ALMEYDA, Matías Jesus. Treccani. Dotto. Matteo. it. 1 December 2015.
  16. Web site: Soccer-Almeyda takes charge of relegation-haunted Guadalajara. Reuters. Gowar. Rex. Chakraborty. Amlan. 19 September 2015. 1 December 2015.
  17. News: WORLD CUP: Croatia takes out mighty Germany. Kitsap Sun. 5 July 1998. 30 October 2017.
  18. News: En el nombre de Bielsa. In the name of Bielsa. Clarín. es. 7 November 2002. 30 October 2017.
  19. Book: Iucht, Román. La vida por el fútbol: Marcelo Bielsa, el último romántico. Life for football: Marcelo Bielsa, the last romantic. Penguin Random House Grupo Editorial Argentina. es. 2012. 978-950-07-3749-4. 206–.
  20. Web site: River coach Almeyda quits citing lack of support. Reuters. Gowar. Rex. 29 November 2012. 11 June 2018.
  21. Web site: Almeyda, el nuevo DT de Banfield. Almeyda, Banfield's new HC. Todo Noticias. es. 1 April 2013. 6 June 2013.
  22. News: Matías Almeyda es el nuevo pastor del Rebaño Sagrado. Matías Almeyda is the new shepherd of the Holy Herd. Diario AS. es. 15 September 2015. 30 October 2017.
  23. Web site: Chivas presenta oficialmente a Matías Almeyda como nuevo entrenador. Chivas officially present Matías Almeyda as new coach. ESPN Deportes. es. 18 September 2015. 8 December 2020.
  24. Web site: Calendario (Apertura 2015). Schedule (Apertura 2015). C.D. Guadalajara. es. 11 June 2018. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20151104234951/http://www.chivasdecorazon.com.mx/estadisticas/calendario#.VjwomberQdU. 4 November 2015.
  25. Web site: Chivas campeón de la Copa MX Apertura 2015!. Chivas 2015 Apertura Copa MX champions!. C.D. Guadalajara. Giaccardi. José Fernando. es. 4 November 2015. 11 June 2018.
  26. Web site: Chivas wins Super Copa MX 2–0, gets Copa Libertadores birth. Vavel. Sennikoff. Kyle. 10 July 2016. 7 December 2020.
  27. Web site: América, Chivas y Xolos no disputarán la Copa Libertadores. America, Chivas and Xolos will not participate in Libertadores Cup. Esto. es. 15 November 2016. 7 December 2020.
  28. News: Los 12 campeonatos de Chivas. Chivas' 12 championships. Marca. es. 29 May 2017. 30 October 2017.
  29. Web site: ¡Campeones de CONCACAF!. CONCACAF champions!. C.D. Guadalajara. Quezada. Javier. es. 25 April 2018. 25 April 2018.
  30. 2018 Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League final set. CONCACAF. 11 April 2018. 11 June 2018.
  31. Web site: Almeyda alude por primera vez a Higuera como culpable de su salida de Chivas. Almeyda mentions Higuera as guilty of his departure from Chivas for the first time. Medio Tiempo. es. 6 January 2020. 7 April 2020.
  32. Web site: Matias Almeyda stepping down as Chivas manager. One Football. Bourgeois. Blaise. June 2018. 11 June 2018.
  33. Web site: Earthquakes hire Matias Almeyda as head coach. San Jose Earthquakes. 8 October 2018. 8 October 2018.
  34. Web site: Despite missing playoffs, San Jose Earthquakes celebrate massive improvement in 2019. Major League Soccer. Garcia. Kyle. 6 October 2019. 25 November 2020.
  35. Web site: Melia saves day as Sporting KC eliminates San Jose after penalties. ESPN. 22 November 2020. 25 November 2020.
  36. Web site: 18 April 2022. San Jose Earthquakes part ways with head coach Matias Almeyda. 18 April 2022. Major League Soccer.
  37. Web site: Matias Almeyda, ΑΕΚ FC new head coach! . aekfc.gr . 20 May 2022 . Online.
  38. Web site: 2023-05-25 . AEK relives glory days of 1978 after historic third double . 2023-05-26 . NEOS KOSMOS . en.
  39. Web site: Il lìder massimo: i 18 anni del Petroliere #8 (2002/03). Top leader: the 18th anniversary of Petroliere #8 (2002/03). Sport Main. Ghio. Nicola. it. 28 January 2014. 21 July 2015.
  40. Web site: Erbes, corsa e pressing: ecco un altro Almeyda. Erbes, stamina and pressing: here is another Almeyda. Corriere dello Sport. Chioffi. Stefano. it. 29 March 2013. 21 July 2015.
  41. News: La vita dell'Indio Almeyda tra alcol e depressione. The life of Almeyda the Indian among alcohol and depression. La Gazzetta dello Sport. Mazur. Martin. it. 26 September 2012. 20 November 2017.
  42. News: Alfabeto gialloblù. Yellow and blue alphabet. La Repubblica. Bertoncini. Antonio. it. 4 May 2009. 21 November 2017.
  43. News: Almeyda è rimasto a Roma: è tornato capitan Uncino. Almeyda has stayed in Rome: captain Hook has returned. La Gazzetta dello Sport. Piccioni. Valerio. Imparato. Gaetano. it. 29 March 2000. 21 November 2017.
  44. News: Almeyda, 'Trattorino' di Baires. Almeyda, the "Little Tractor" from Baires. La Repubblica. Galdi. Andrea. it. 20 September 1997. 21 November 2017.
  45. News: Almeyda Does Not Regret Lazio Exit . Sky Sports . Antognoni . Dominique . 14 March 2024 .
  46. News: Edgar Davids diventa Super Sayan: l'allenamento del Pitbull è da Dragon Ball . Edgar Davids becomes a Super Sayan: the Pitbull's Dragon Ball–like training . La Gazzetta dello Sport . it-IT . Antonelli . Michele . 27 April 2021 . 14 March 2024 .
  47. Web site: Almeyda Matías Jesus. Tutto Calciatori. it. 20 November 2019.
  48. News: A melhor resposta. The best reply. Folha de S.Paulo. pt. 27 July 2000. 18 January 2020.
  49. Web site: M. Almeyda. Soccerway. 1 December 2015.
  50. Includes matches from Liga MX, Copa MX, Supercopa MX and Copa Libertadores
  51. Web site: Matías Almeyda. Eurosport. 1 December 2015.
  52. Web site: Italy – Footballer of the Year. Pierrend. José Luis. Di Maggio. Roberto. 1 December 2015. live. RSSSF. https://web.archive.org/web/20150121013030/http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/italpoy.html. 21 January 2015.
  53. Web site: MATIAS ALMEYDA . 2023-05-02 . www.aekfc.gr . en.
  54. News: Chivas y Tigres dominan el 11 ideal del Clausura 2017. Chivas and Tigres dominate the ideal 11 of the 2017 Clausura. Marca. es. 30 May 2017. 21 December 2020.
  55. Web site: Chivas y Almeyda acapararon el Balón de Oro. Chivas and Almeyda ruled Golden Ball. Medio Tiempo. es. 16 July 2017. 7 April 2020.
  56. Web site: Chivas' SCCL conquest paves way for Almeyda honor. CONCACAF. 15 January 2019. 16 January 2019.