Argentine coaches scoring big at Copa America

Only four teams are left in the Copa America and whichever lifts the trophy next weekend, one thing is guaranteed – the winning coach will be an Argentine.

With Brazil’s shock exit in the quarter-finals on Saturday, the semi-final lineup is complete.

It's a source of great happiness for the whole country that we not only have top-class players but also top-class coaches

by Ramon Diaz, Paraguay coach

Hosts Chile will face Peru in Santiago on Monday before favourites Argentina take on Paraguay in Concepcion on Tuesday.

All four teams have Argentine coaches: Chile are led by Jorge Sampaoli, Peru by Ricardo Gareca, Argentina by Gerardo Martino and Paraguay by Ramon Diaz.

“It’s a source of great happiness for the whole country that we not only have top-class players but also top-class coaches,” Diaz said after his side disposed of Brazil in a penalty shootout.

Six of the 12 coaches who started the competition were Argentine. Five of those progressed to the last-eight.

“There are six Argentine coaches and that means that at international level, coaches, just like players, have shown they can do well in these kind of tournaments,” Diaz added.

Gareca is in charge of Peru at his first international tournament, while Gustavo Quinteros was in the dugout for Ecuador.

Of the five who have gone abroad all bar Diaz have long-standing ties to their adopted nation.

Most of them also have a successful track record at club level in their second home.