Claudio Borghi Appointed Bielsa’s Replacement With Chile

Borghi has been out of coaching since November when he left Boca Juniors after a 0-1 loss to River Plate. Spending less than one tournament in charge of the Argentine giants, Borghi left with Boca having accumulated only 17 points through 14 rounds, his choice of a 3-4-1-2 system the subject of much criticism. At one point, he called the formation “the best system” and its use “nonnegotiable.”

That obstinate faith in his system may have endeared Borghi to Chile. Looking to replace Bielsa, whose 3-3-3-1 set-up (and the exciting soccer it produced) helped make him a popular figure in Chile, the FFC may have been searching for a similar approach.

Borghi also has managerial experience in Chile. From 2006 to 2008, Borghi directed Colo-Colo, winning four consecutive tournament. In 2008, he accepted the head coach’s position at Independiente, where he lasted less than a year. At Argentinos Juniors, his next post, Borghi won an Argentine title before leaving for Boca.

As was the case with Independiente and Boca, Borghi will against be stepping into a situation with relatively high expectations, with a Chilean soccer having become accustomed to the success of his predecessor.

Bielsa resigned earlier this month, following through on a promise to leave the team should Jorge Segovia unseat Harold Mayne-Nicholls as federation president. Though Segovia’s appointment was later invalidated, Bielsa still left his position.