Costa Rica Sack Coach Batista After Poor Start

Costa Rica has dismissed head coach Fernando “Bocha” Batista following a poor start to their Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) Nations League campaign, the country’s football federation announced on Monday.

Batista, an Argentine, was sacked along with his coaching staff just six months after taking charge following Costa Rica’s defeats to Curaçao and Haiti in the opening two rounds of the tournament.

Former Costa Rica international Bryan Ruiz will take over as interim coach.

Costa Rica endured another disappointing result last Thursday, squandering a 3-0 halftime lead to lose 4-3 at home to Curaçao. Three days later, they suffered another defeat, this time a 2-0 loss to Haiti.

The setbacks add to Costa Rica’s recent decline after the country’s memorable run to the 2014 World Cup quarter-finals, where they topped a group featuring Italy, England and Uruguay.

Costa Rica failed to progress beyond the group stage at the next two World Cups and did not qualify for the 2026 tournament.