He’s the man trying to mastermind the Caltex Socceroos’ downfall in the final phase of qualifying for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
Honduras boss Jorge Luis Pinto is a vastly experienced coach who will have his side primed for the Intercontinental Playoff matches in Central America on November 11 (AEDT) and in Sydney four days later.
Here’s five things you need to know about the 64-year-old Colombian:
*Pinto has coached against the Caltex Socceroos before, as manager of Costa Rica in Ange Postecoglou’s first game as Australia coach in 2013. Tim Cahill’s goal handed the Caltex Socceroos a 1-0 win in the friendly in Sydney.
*He was in charge of Costa Rica at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, where they topped a difficult group beating Uruguay and Italy and drawing with England. They were eventually beaten in the quarter-finals by the Netherlands in a penalty shootout.
*He’s known to have a fiery temperament on the sidelines, earning him the nickname ‘El Explosivo’. He once received a 10-match touchline ban while coaching in Colombia and a six-match suspension in Venezuela for arguments with match officials.
*Pinto has his own personal website - jorgeluispinto.com – where he outlines his football philosophy, his coaching history and coaching tips.
*He never played football professionally, instead studying physical education and earned his first job in football as a fitness coach at Colombian club Millonarios in Bogota.