Ronald González Brenes is currently the leading candidate to become the new Director of National Teams for Costa Rica, following the vacancy left by Ignacio Hierro. González, a well-known figure in Costa Rican football, previously led the national team at various levels and was notably responsible for guiding Costa Rica to a fourth-place finish at the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Egypt.
González’s most recent coaching role was with Comunicaciones in Guatemala during the first half of 2025. He left that position by mutual agreement in May 2025. According to sources from the Executive Committee of the Costa Rican Football Federation (FCRF), he has already been interviewed by a commission tasked with restructuring national teams after Costa Rica failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
Other candidates considered for the position included former national team coach Paulo César Wanchope and former Saprissa sporting manager Ángel Catalina. However, negotiations with them did not progress significantly. Wanchope expressed his desire to continue working as a coach rather than taking an administrative role, while Catalina declined to go through another selection process.
Supporters of González highlight his experience both as a head coach and as a developer of young talent, particularly during his previous tenure with youth national teams. His achievements include domestic league titles with Saprissa in Costa Rica and Comunicaciones in Guatemala.
The plan is for González’s appointment to be finalized on January 6, during the first session of the FCRF Executive Committee led by Osael Maroto in 2026. However, his nomination still requires ratification by committee vote.
If confirmed, González’s initial responsibility will be selecting a new head coach for Costa Rica’s senior national team—a decision originally expected before the end of 2025 but now delegated to him. He will need to present a shortlist of candidates for committee approval so that a new coach can be appointed ahead of March’s FIFA international window, beginning preparations for qualification toward the 2030 World Cup.
Among those reportedly under consideration are Venezuelan Rafael Dudamel and Argentine Fernando Batista. Additionally, González will be required to propose a restructuring plan for youth teams across all age categories, including recommendations for coaching appointments subject to committee approval.
Costa Rica had previously filled this director position with foreign professionals—most recently Claudio Vivas from Argentina and Ignacio Hierro from Mexico—but appears set to return leadership of its national teams program to a local figure.
