Reinaldo Rueda life and biography

Reinaldo Rueda Rivera (born February 3, 1957 in Cali) is a Colombian/Honduran manager, who is in charge of the Honduras national football team.

Rueda's claim to fame came during his years as the Colombian Youth Coach. With the Colombian U-20 team, he finished 3rd in the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship. He also led the Colombian U-17 team to a 4th place finish that same year at the U-17 World Cup.

After a disastrous start to 2006 World Cup Qualifying, (only 1 point after 5 games) the Colombian Football Federation promoted Rueda to Senior Coach. Colombia failed to qualify to the 2006 World Cup, but Rueda made a big impact. The team would have finished near last on the CONMEBOL qualification but ended up in 6th place. Honduras, under his direction, succeeded in gaining a place in the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Rueda, holds a Physical Education degree. Colonia University, Germany gave him his Masters Degree. He has been a University professor and has taught several courses at the Colombian National Coaches School. He has continued his studies in Europe attending FIFA and UEFA actualization courses.

As a soccer player, Reynaldo Rueda played for emergent clubs in amateur and college competitions.

In Colombia Reynaldo Rueda was coach of Independiente Medellín, Deportivo Cali and Cortuluá.

Colombian National Team

As a coach, Rueda has been in charge of the Colombian U-17, U-20, U-21, U-23, and Senior teams.
Rueda made the final qualifying rounds with the Colombian U-21 in "La Esperanza de Toulón" tournament in France in 2000 and 2001.
In the first tournament, Rueda's team beat Ireland 1-0, Ghana 4-1, and Côte d'Ivoire 3-1. Against Portugal on June 3, Colombia won the championship in a game that ended in a penalty shootouts (3-1).
In 2001, the Colombian team also got to the finals but this time ended second.

In the U-20 tournament in Uruguay 2003, Reinaldo Rueda assured his Colombian team a ticket to the FIFA U-20 World Cup after non Colombian appearance for 10 years.

Honduras National Team

Rueda took the helm of the Honduran national side in January 2007. He has been widely regarded as a huge success, as Honduras has qualified for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

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