Oswaldo Vizcarrondo, former player of the Liga MX, is the new interim coach of Venezuela
“El Patron” had a brief stint at Club America in 2012; with the Vinotinto he played in the Copa America 4 times and reached the quarterfinals in 3 of them
Former soccer player Oswaldo Vizcarrondo will be the interim coach of the Venezuelan national soccer team, which was led by Argentine Fernando 'Bocha' Batista, the Federation reported Venezuelan Football League (FVF).
The 41-year-old former defender will officiate the friendly matches against Argentina and Belize, which will be played on October 10 and 14 in the United States.
Vizcarrondo will have as assistants Fernando Aristeguieta, coach of Caracas, and Mario Rondon, technical assistant of the U-17 national team.
Vizcarrondo debuted as a defender in 2001 and hung up his boots in 2021. He played for Caracas, Lanus in Argentina, and Nantes in France, among other clubs.
In 2012, he had a brief stint in Liga MX, when he signed with Aguilas del America for 3 years, but he was unable to showcase his talent and only lasted one tournament in Mexican football, as the Azulcrema club loaned him to Lanus in Argentina six months after his arrival in Mexico.
With the Vinotinto, he played four editions of the Copa America (2007, 2011, 2015 and 2016), reaching the quarter-finals in three of them and finishing in the group stage in 2015.
He managed the U-17 team and qualified them for the World Cup in Qatar, which will be played next November. Last May, he was appointed U-20 coach.
La Vinotinto will play two friendlies in October. The first is against Argentina at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on October 10. And four days later against Belize at Seatgeek Stadium in Chicago.
On September 10, the FVF announced Batista's dismissal after failing to achieve the goal of leading the Vinotinto to play in the international playoff for a spot in the 2026 World Cup.
Batista took over as Venezuelan national team coach on March 10, 2023, replacing his compatriot Jose Pekerman.