ASUNCION, Oct. 20 (Xinhua) — Former Boca Juniors and Argentina international forward Guillermo Barros Schelotto was appointed head coach of Paraguay’s national team on Wednesday, less than a week after the sacking of his compatriot Eduardo Berizzo.
Barros Schelotto will be tied to the Albirroja until the end of the 2024 Copa America, the Paraguayan Football Association (APF) said in a brief statement published on its official website late Wednesday.
The 48-year-old will be joined by twin brother Gustavo, who will be his assistant coach.
“[They] will begin working immediately to prepare for the next qualifiers for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar,” the statement read.
Berizzo was sacked last Thursday following more than two and a half years in charge. His dismissal came just hours after Paraguay suffered a 4-0 defeat away to Bolivia in a 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier, a result that left the Guaranies eighth in the 10-team South American group.
Schelotto has been out of work since ending his spell in charge of LA Galaxy in November last year. He has also managed Boca Juniors, Lanus and Italian side Palermo since ending his playing career in 2011.
Paraguay’s next 2022 World Cup qualifiers will be a home clash against Chile on November 11 followed by a visit to Colombia five days later.
