Overview
- Hospital officials in Santa Cruz de la Sierra reported he died shortly before 7 a.m. Friday after being admitted for care.
- He had battled a long-standing heart condition, which he acknowledged publicly in October, noting he was under family care.
- CONMEBOL and clubs including Bolívar, Oriente Petrolero, RCD Espanyol and Chivas issued formal condolences and tributes.
- Known as “El Bigotón,” he rose early in Spain by becoming Espanyol’s manager at 29 and later coached in Chile, Japan and Mexico, winning the 1998 J‑League with Yokohama F. Marinos.
- Beyond leading Bolivia to the 1994 World Cup, he returned to the country repeatedly, guiding Bolívar to league titles and the 2014 Copa Libertadores semifinal while making Santa Cruz his home.