Place of birth Oviedo, Spain 2006–2007 Girona (youth) Name Ricardo Rodriguez Current team Bangkok Glass F.C. | Years Team 2007 Girona Role Football coach | |
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Full name Ricardo Rodriguez Suarez Date of birth (1974-04-03) 3 April 1974 (age 41) Profiles | ||
Ricardo Rodriguez Suarez (born 3 April 1974), is a Spanish football coach, currently in charge of Bangkok Glass F.C..
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Education
Born in Oviedo, Asturias, Rodriguez was a Real Oviedo youth graduate, but a serious knee injury forced him to leave his footballing career. He has a bachelor's degree in Physical Activity and Sport Sciences from the University of A Coruna (1994–1998), and between 2000 and 2002 he obtained a PhD in physical Activity and Sport Sciences at the University of Oviedo while studying a master's degree in Sports High Performance provided by the Spanish Olympic Committee at the same time.
From 2003 until 2006 Rodriguez completed the necessary studies to obtain the coaching badge from UEFA Pro Licence, provided by the Spanish Football Federation.
Managerial career
Rodriguez started his career in 1998 at his former club Oviedo, being named the reserves' coach. In 2001 he was promoted to the main squad in Segunda Division.
In 2003 Rodriguez worked as a director and manager of Real Madrid's youth school in Mexico City, along with Alberto Gil and Xabier Azkargorta. He remained in charge for three years and subsequently returned to his home country, being appointed manager of Girona FC's youth setup.
On 5 February 2007 Rodriguez was named manager of the Catalans' first team in Tercera Division, replacing fired Joan Carrillo, until the end of the campaign. He achieved promotion in the play-offs, after defeating Paco Jemez's RSD Alcala.
On 25 June 2007 Rodriguez was named at the helm of Malaga CF's B-team, but was shortly after appointed as Juan Muniz's assistant at the main squad and being promoted to La Liga at the end of the season. In July 2008 he was appointed as director of football.
On 4 March 2010 Rodriguez left the Andalusians, with the club already promoted. In August 2011 he signed a three-year deal with the Saudi Arabia Football Federation, initially as a consultant.
Rodriguez acted along with Juan Ramon Lopez Caro and Frank Rijkaard, being added in the latter's squad in August 2012. In January 2013, after Rijkaard's dimissal, Lopez Caro was appointed manager of the full squad and Rodriguez took charge of the under-17s.
On 4 July 2013 Rodriguez returned to Girona, with his side now in Segunda Division. He was relieved from his duties on 19 December, after a poor display in his last outings.
On 19 January 2014 Rodriguez was named at the helm of Thai Premier League's Ratchaburi F.C.. In November, after the season's end, he left the club and signed for fellow league team Bangkok Glass F.C. shortly after.