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Matías Almeyda

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Matías Jesús Almeyda (Spanish pronunciation: [maˈti.as xeˈsus alˈmejða]; born 21 December 1973) is an Argentine professional football manager and former player. He is the current head coach of Monterrey in Mexico.

Matías Almeyda
Personal information
Full name Matías Jesús Almeyda
Date of birth (1973-12-21) 21 December 1973 (age 52)
Place of birth Azul, Argentina
Height 1.74 m (5 ft 9 in)[1]
Position Defensive midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Monterrey (head coach)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1991–1996 River Plate 68 (3)
1996–1997 Sevilla 28 (0)
1997–2000 Lazio 63 (2)
2000–2002 Parma 34 (0)
2002–2004 Inter Milan 27 (0)
2004–2005 Brescia 5 (0)
2005 Quilmes 10 (0)
2007 Lyn 2 (0)
2009 Fénix 4 (0)
2009–2011 River Plate 62 (0)
Total 303 (5)
International career
1992 Argentina U20 1 (0)
1995–1996 Argentina U23 13 (0)
1996–2003 Argentina 40 (1)
Managerial career
2011–2012 River Plate
2013–2015 Banfield
2015–2018 Guadalajara
2018–2022 San Jose Earthquakes
2022–2025 AEK Athens
2025–2026 Sevilla
2026– Monterrey
Medal record
Men's football
Representing  Argentina
Olympic Games
Silver medal – second place1996 AtlantaTeam
* Club domestic league appearances and goals

Ironically nicknamed El Pelado ("the bald one") in reference to his long hair, Almeyda played for nine clubs across four countries over a career spanning two decades. He is most closely associated with River Plate, where he made his professional debut and later won four Primera División titles along with the Copa Libertadores. After retiring from playing, he took charge of the club, guiding them back to the top flight following their relegation the previous year.

He represented Argentina at the FIFA World Cup in 1998 and 2002, and at the 1996 Summer Olympics, where he won a silver medal in football.

Playing career

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Club

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Born in Azul, Buenos Aires Province, Almeyda began his career with River Plate, making his professional debut on February 21, 1992, in a match against Unión de Santa Fe. During his time at the club, he contributed to winning four Primera División titles and the Copa Libertadores.[2]

In August 1996, he was transferred to Sevilla in La Liga, with his boyhood club receiving a record fee of $9 million.[3] Despite playing regularly, Almeyda struggled during his single season with the club.[4] Following Sevilla's relegation, he joined Lazio in Serie A, where he spent three seasons. He became an integral part of the club's golden era, helping them capture six trophies, including the domestic double in the 1999–2000 season.[5]

In June 2000, Almeyda moved to Parma for a reported fee of $23 million.[6] He spent two seasons there and won the Coppa Italia in the 2001–02 season. In July 2002, he moved to Inter Milan, and two years later he joined Brescia.[7] After Brescia’s relegation, he returned to Argentina to play for Quilmes. He retired in July 2005, citing exhaustion as the reason.[8]

Almeyda came out of retirement in March 2007 to join Norwegian club Lyn, appearing in four matches before leaving the team and retiring once again.[9] In January 2009, he briefly signed with Fénix in Argentina’s fourth division.[10] Later that year, in August, he rejoined River Plate during a troubled era for the club that culminated in relegation. Almeyda retired on June 22, 2011, and just four days later he was appointed River Plate's manager.[11]

International

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Almeyda won 35 caps for Argentina over the course of seven years, his debut coming in April 1996 against Bolivia.[12] Shortly after, he helped the Olympic side to the silver medal at the Summer Olympics in Atlanta.[13]

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.[14]

After Marcelo Bielsa became Argentina's manager, Almeyda did not get as much playing time.[15][16] 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.[13]

Managerial career

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River Plate

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On June 27, 2011, five days after retiring as a player, Almeyda became the manager of River Plate with the aim of returning the club to Argentina's top division. On June 23, 2012, River achieved promotion back to the Primera División under his leadership.[17] Following an uneven campaign upon their return to the top tier, Almeyda resigned on November 28, 2012.[18]

Banfield

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In April 2013, Almeyda became the head coach of Banfield in the Primera B Nacional.[19] On May 16, 2014, Banfield secured promotion to the top division.[20] Almeyda left the club on August 3, 2015.

Guadalajara

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In September 2015, Mexican club Guadalajara appointed Almeyda as their new manager.[21][22] He won his first four matches in charge, including the Clásico Nacional against Club América at the Estadio Azteca.[23] Over the next 18 months, Almeyda guided Guadalajara to three titles: two Copa MX trophies and a Supercopa MX.[24][25]

Guadalajara qualified for the Clausura 2017 play‑offs in third place, where they defeated Atlas in the quarter‑finals and subsequently eliminated Deportivo Toluca to reach the final. There, they prevailed 4–3 against Tigres UANL, securing the club’s twelfth league championship.[26]

On April 25, 2018, Guadalajara triumphed against Toronto to win the CONCACAF Champions League.[27][28] On June 11, Almeyda resigned from his post following disagreements with the club's management.[29][30]

San Jose Earthquakes

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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.[31] He attained 44 points within the Western Conference, missing the playoff berth by one win.[32]

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.[33]

On 18 April 2022, Almeyda and San Jose Earthquakes parted ways, two days after the team drew 2–2 with Nashville SC.[34]

AEK Athens

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On 20 May 2022, Almeyda signed a two-year contract with Super League Greece club AEK Athens.[35] On 10 January 2023, the club extended his contract until 2028.

In his debut season, Almeyda led AEK to victory in both the Super League Greece and the Greek Cup, achieving their first double since 1978.[36] The following year, AEK reached the group stage of the Europa League after a three-year absence, which included a memorable 3-2 away win at Brighton.

On 13 May 2025, AEK and Almeyda parted ways after six consecutive losses in the playoffs.

Sevilla

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On 16 June 2025, Spanish club Sevilla announced Almeyda as their new head coach.[37] On 5 October, he guided the team to a 4–1 league victory over defending champions Barcelona. It was Sevilla’s first win against Barcelona since 2015.[38] On 18 February 2026, the Spanish Football Federation imposed a seven‑match suspension on Almeyda following multiple disciplinary violations committed during the February 14 fixture against Alavés.[39] Almeyda was relieved of his duties on 23 March.[40]

Monterrey

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In May 2026, Almeyda returned to Mexico to become Monterrey’s head coach ahead of the Apertura 2026.[41]

Style of play

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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.[12][42][43][44][45][46][47][48][49]

Coaching style

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Almeyda's approach is heavily influenced by Marcelo Bielsa, his former manager, particularly in the emphasis on high-intensity pressing, attacking football and man-to-man marking of the opposition.[50] Almeyda also incorporates the "Bushido Code" (a Japanese samurai code of conduct) into his coaching philosophy, emphasizing virtues like righteousness, courage, benevolence, respect, honesty, duty, loyalty, honor, and self-control.[51]

Career statistics

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Club

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Appearances and goals by club, season and competition[52][53][54]
Club Season League Cup Continental Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
River Plate 1991–92 Primera División 20—00—20
1992–93 20—1[a]0—30
1993–94 1401000—150
1994–95 251—8[a]1—332
1995–96 242—20[a]1—443
1996–97 10———00
Total 68310292—985
Sevilla 1996–97 La Liga 28020——300
Lazio 1997–98 Serie A 190207[b]0—280
1998–99 251506[c]0—361
1999–2000 191208[d]01[e]0301
Total 6329021010942
Parma 2000–01 Serie A 160304[b]0—230
2001–02 180405[f]0—270
Total 3407090—500
Inter Milan 2002–03 Serie A 1600010[d]1—261
2003–04 110307[g]0—210
Total 27030171—471
Brescia 2004–05 Serie A 5000——50
Quilmes 2005–06 Primera División 100005[a]0—150
Lyn 2007 Tippeligaen 2023——43
Fénix 2008–09 Primera C Metropolitana 40———40
River Plate 2009–10 Primera División 32000——320
2010–11 30000——300
Total 62000——620
Career total 30352438131040911
  1. 1 2 3 4 Appearance(s) in Copa Libertadores
  2. 1 2 Appearance(s) in UEFA Cup
  3. ↑ Appearance(s) in UEFA Cup Winners' Cup
  4. 1 2 Appearance(s) in UEFA Champions League
  5. ↑ Appearance(s) in UEFA Super Cup
  6. ↑ Two appearances in UEFA Champions League, three appearances in UEFA Cup
  7. ↑ Four appearances in UEFA Champions League, two appearances in UEFA Cup

International

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Appearances and goals by national team and year[55]
National teamYearAppsGoals
Argentina 199660
199760
1998110
200031
200150
200240
200350
Total401
Score and result list Argentina's goal tally first, score column indicates score after Almeyda goal.
International goal scored by Matías Almeyda[56]
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
126 July 2000Estádio do Morumbi, São Paulo, Brazil Brazil1–21–32002 World Cup qualification

Managerial statistics

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As of match played on 22 March 2026[57]
Managerial record by team and tenure
Team Nat From To Record
GWDLGFGAGDWin %
River Plate Argentina 1 July 2011 27 November 2012 60292299745+52048.33
Banfield 21 April 2013 3 August 2015 98442727148102+46044.90
Guadalajara[n 1] Mexico 15 September 2015 11 June 2018 139564439167143+24040.29
San Jose Earthquakes United States 8 October 2018 18 April 2022 103332644158192−34032.04
AEK Athens Greece 18 Μay 2022 13 May 2025 134802529244116+128059.70
Sevilla Spain 16 June 2025 22 March 2026 32107154352−9031.25
Total 566252151163857650+207044.52

Honours

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Player

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Manager

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Notes

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  1. ↑ Includes matches from Liga MX, Copa MX, Supercopa MX and Copa Libertadores

References

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  1. ↑ "MATIAS ALMEYDA - gazzetta". gazzetta.it.
  2. ↑ "Matías Jesús Almeyda | Sevilla FC". sevillafc.es. Retrieved 6 June 2026.
  3. ↑ Ares, Carlos (31 August 1996). "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 (in Spanish). Retrieved 30 October 2017.
  4. ↑ "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 (in Spanish). 9 July 2007. Archived from the original on 28 March 2019. Retrieved 30 October 2017.
  5. ↑ Newman, Blair (30 March 2015). "How Sven-Goran Eriksson's Lazio won the great Serie A title race of 1999–2000". The Guardian. Retrieved 30 October 2017.
  6. ↑ "La pulseada de Almeyda". Clarín. Archived from the original on 31 January 2017. Retrieved 18 January 2017.
  7. ↑ "Brescia boosted by Almeyda". UEFA. 24 August 2004. Retrieved 6 December 2010.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  8. ↑ "El ex internacional argentino Matías Almeyda se retira". Diario AS (in Spanish). 9 July 2005. Retrieved 6 June 2026.
  9. ↑ "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 (in Spanish). 26 March 2007. Retrieved 12 August 2010.
  10. ↑ "Almeyda: de refuerzo de River a la Primera C" [Almeyda: from River signing to Primera C] (in Spanish). DERF. 16 January 2009. Archived from the original on 9 October 2018. Retrieved 21 July 2009.
  11. ↑ "Matías Almeyda pasa de jugador a entrenador en River" [Matías Almeyda goes from player to manager in River]. Marca (in Spanish). 28 June 2011. Retrieved 9 November 2012.
  12. 1 2 Dotto, Matteo. "ALMEYDA, Matías Jesus" (in Italian). Treccani. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
  13. 1 2 3 Gowar, Rex; Chakraborty, Amlan (19 September 2015). "Soccer-Almeyda takes charge of relegation-haunted Guadalajara". Reuters. Archived from the original on 8 December 2015. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
  14. ↑ "WORLD CUP: Croatia takes out mighty Germany". Kitsap Sun. 5 July 1998. Archived from the original on 7 November 2017. Retrieved 30 October 2017.
  15. ↑ "En el nombre de Bielsa" [In the name of Bielsa]. Clarín (in Spanish). 7 November 2002. Retrieved 30 October 2017.
  16. ↑ Iucht, Román (2012). La vida por el fútbol: Marcelo Bielsa, el último romántico [Life for football: Marcelo Bielsa, the last romantic] (in Spanish). Penguin Random House Grupo Editorial Argentina. pp. 206–. ISBN 978-950-07-3749-4.
  17. ↑ "River ganó y volvió a Primera División". www.espn.com.ar. Retrieved 2 June 2026.
  18. ↑ Gowar, Rex (29 November 2012). "River coach Almeyda quits citing lack of support". Reuters. Retrieved 11 June 2018.
  19. ↑ "Almeyda, el nuevo DT de Banfield" [Almeyda, Banfield's new HC] (in Spanish). Todo Noticias. 1 April 2013. Retrieved 6 June 2013.
  20. ↑ "Banfield logró el ascenso, al empatar con Douglas Haig". www.espn.com.ar. Retrieved 2 June 2026.
  21. ↑ "Matías Almeyda es el nuevo pastor del Rebaño Sagrado" [Matías Almeyda is the new shepherd of the Holy Herd]. Diario AS (in Spanish). 15 September 2015. Retrieved 30 October 2017.
  22. ↑ "Chivas presenta oficialmente a Matías Almeyda como nuevo entrenador" [Chivas officially present Matías Almeyda as new coach] (in Spanish). ESPN Deportes. 18 September 2015. Retrieved 8 December 2020.
  23. ↑ "Calendario (Apertura 2015)" [Schedule (Apertura 2015)] (in Spanish). C.D. Guadalajara. Archived from the original on 4 November 2015. Retrieved 11 June 2018.
  24. ↑ Giaccardi, José Fernando (4 November 2015). "Chivas campeón de la Copa MX Apertura 2015!" [Chivas 2015 Apertura Copa MX champions!] (in Spanish). C.D. Guadalajara. Retrieved 11 June 2018.
  25. ↑ Sennikoff, Kyle (10 July 2016). "Chivas wins Super Copa MX 2–0, gets Copa Libertadores birth". Vavel. Retrieved 7 December 2020.
  26. 1 2 "Los 12 campeonatos de Chivas" [Chivas' 12 championships]. Marca (in Spanish). 29 May 2017. Retrieved 30 October 2017.
  27. 1 2 Quezada, Javier (25 April 2018). "¡Campeones de CONCACAF!" [CONCACAF champions!] (in Spanish). C.D. Guadalajara. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
  28. ↑ "2018 Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League final set" (Press release). CONCACAF. 11 April 2018. Archived from the original on 11 April 2018. Retrieved 11 June 2018.
  29. ↑ "Matías Almeyda se despide oficialmente de Chivas". www.espn.com.mx. Retrieved 2 June 2026.
  30. ↑ "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] (in Spanish). Medio Tiempo. 6 January 2020. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
  31. ↑ "Earthquakes hire Matias Almeyda as head coach". San Jose Earthquakes. 8 October 2018. Archived from the original on 19 January 2021. Retrieved 8 October 2018.
  32. ↑ Garcia, Kyle (6 October 2019). "Despite missing playoffs, San Jose Earthquakes celebrate massive improvement in 2019". Major League Soccer. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
  33. ↑ "Melia saves day as Sporting KC eliminates San Jose after penalties". ESPN. 22 November 2020. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
  34. ↑ "San Jose Earthquakes part ways with head coach Matias Almeyda". Major League Soccer. 18 April 2022. Retrieved 18 April 2022.
  35. ↑ "Matias Almeyda, ΑΕΚ FC new head coach!". aekfc.gr. Online. Retrieved 20 May 2022.
  36. ↑ "AEK relives glory days of 1978 after historic third double". NEOS KOSMOS. 25 May 2023. Retrieved 26 May 2023.
  37. ↑ "Matías Almeyda, nuevo entrenador de Sevilla FC" (in Spanish). Sevilla Fútbol Club. 16 June 2025.
  38. ↑ "Misfiring Barcelona suffer 4-1 loss at Sevilla". Reuters. 5 October 2025. Retrieved 5 October 2025.
  39. ↑ Pineda, Rafael (18 February 2026). "Siete partidos de sanción para Matías Almeyda por su expulsión en el Sevilla-Alavés". El País (in Spanish). Retrieved 18 February 2026.
  40. ↑ "MATIAS ALMEYDA RELIEVED OF DUTIES AS HEAD COACH". sevillafc.es. Retrieved 23 March 2026.
  41. ↑ "¡BIENVENIDO A RAYADOS, MATÍAS ALMEYDA!". www.rayados.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 1 June 2026.
  42. ↑ Ghio, Nicola (28 January 2014). "Il lìder massimo: i 18 anni del Petroliere #8 (2002/03)" [Top leader: the 18th anniversary of Petroliere #8 (2002/03)] (in Italian). Sport Main. Retrieved 21 July 2015.
  43. ↑ Chioffi, Stefano (29 March 2013). "Erbes, corsa e pressing: ecco un altro Almeyda" [Erbes, stamina and pressing: here is another Almeyda]. Corriere dello Sport (in Italian). Retrieved 21 July 2015.
  44. ↑ Mazur, Martin (26 September 2012). "La vita dell'Indio Almeyda tra alcol e depressione" [The life of Almeyda the Indian among alcohol and depression]. La Gazzetta dello Sport (in Italian). Retrieved 20 November 2017.
  45. ↑ Bertoncini, Antonio (4 May 2009). "Alfabeto gialloblù" [Yellow and blue alphabet]. La Repubblica (in Italian). Retrieved 21 November 2017.
  46. ↑ Piccioni, Valerio; Imparato, Gaetano (29 March 2000). "Almeyda è rimasto a Roma: è tornato capitan Uncino" [Almeyda has stayed in Rome: captain Hook has returned]. La Gazzetta dello Sport (in Italian). Retrieved 21 November 2017.
  47. ↑ Galdi, Andrea (20 September 1997). "Almeyda, 'Trattorino' di Baires" [Almeyda, the "Little Tractor" from Baires]. La Repubblica (in Italian). Retrieved 21 November 2017.
  48. ↑ Antognoni, Dominique. "Almeyda Does Not Regret Lazio Exit". Sky Sports. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
  49. ↑ Antonelli, Michele (27 April 2021). "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 (in Italian). Retrieved 14 March 2024.
  50. ↑ "How Matias Almeyda has transformed Chivas". 26 October 2016.
  51. ↑ Bogert, Tom (9 October 2018). "The Samurai code that fuels San Jose Earthquakes coach Matias Almeyda". MLS Soccer.
  52. ↑ "Almeyda Matías Jesus" (in Italian). Tutto Calciatori. Retrieved 20 November 2019.
  53. ↑ Matías Almeyda at BDFutbol
  54. ↑ "Matías Almeyda". BDFA (in Spanish). Retrieved 20 November 2019.
  55. ↑ "Matías Almeyda". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved 20 November 2019.
  56. ↑ "A melhor resposta" [The best reply]. Folha de S.Paulo (in Portuguese). 27 July 2000. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  57. 1 2 3 4 "M. Almeyda". Soccerway. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
  58. 1 2 3 "Matías Almeyda". Eurosport. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
  59. ↑ Pierrend, José Luis; Di Maggio, Roberto. "Italy – Footballer of the Year". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 21 January 2015. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
  60. 1 2 "MATIAS ALMEYDA". www.aekfc.gr. Retrieved 2 May 2023.
  61. ↑ "Chivas y Tigres dominan el 11 ideal del Clausura 2017" [Chivas and Tigres dominate the ideal 11 of the 2017 Clausura]. Marca (in Spanish). 30 May 2017. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
  62. ↑ "Chivas y Almeyda acapararon el Balón de Oro" [Chivas and Almeyda ruled Golden Ball] (in Spanish). Medio Tiempo. 16 July 2017. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
  63. ↑ "Chivas' SCCL conquest paves way for Almeyda honor". CONCACAF. 15 January 2019. Retrieved 16 January 2019.
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