Costa Rica coach Batista has been officially dismissed, and legend Ruiz will temporarily take over.

The Costa Rican Football Federation (FCRF) announced on Monday that 56-year-old Fernando Batista will no longer serve as the national team coach. With Batista's official departure, his coaching team will also leave.

Batista previously spent many years developing youth academies at San Lorenzo, Argentinos Juniors, Argentina, and Armenia, and is considered a representative figure of Argentina's middle generation of coaches. He also managed Venezuela for two years until his departure in September 2025 after failing to qualify for the World Cup.

In February of this year, Batista officially succeeded Miguel Herrera as manager of Costa Rica. He has led the team in six consecutive matches so far, but has only managed one draw and five losses.

Along with sacking Batista, the Costa Rican Football Federation confirmed that 41-year-old Costa Rican football legend Bryan Ruiz would temporarily take over as manager. Ruiz's primary task upon taking office is to lead the team in the final two group stage matches of the CONCACAF Nations League.

Ruiz was born in San José, Costa Rica in 1985. During his playing career, he played for several clubs including Alajuelens, Genk, Twente, Fulham, PSV Eindhoven, Sporting CP, and Santos. He also made 147 appearances for the Costa Rican national team, including six Gold Cup titles (2005, 2011, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021) and three World Cups (2014, 2018, 2022).

Image source: Internet