Christian Díaz


Christian Lionel Díaz is an Argentine former professional footballer who played as a left back, and the current manager of Bolivian club C.D. Jorge Wilstermann.

Playing career

Born in Florencio Varela Partido, Buenos Aires, Díaz started his career with Club Atlético Independiente in 1995. In his first season as a professional, he helped El Diablo Rojo win the South American Supercup in an eventual 2–1 aggregate triumph against Clube de Regatas do Flamengo, and appeared in more than 150 official games with the club during his five-year spell.
In 2000, Díaz moved to Italy and joined Udinese Calcio, only missing three Serie A matches as the team finished in 12th position. In the following four years he played in Spain, representing RCD Mallorca, Levante UD, Albacete Balompié, Ciudad de Murcia and UD Almería, having little overall impact and only totalling 14 La Liga appearances with the first and the third sides combined.
Díaz returned to his country in 2005, successively representing Club Olimpo, Club Atlético Huracán and Arsenal de Sarandí, winning two major titles with the latter team including the 2007 Copa Sudamericana. He retired from football in 2009, at the age of 33.

Coaching career

Díaz began working as a manager in March 2012, after succeeding Ramón Díaz at the helm of Independiente. As an interim, he led the team to a 5–4 away win against Boca Juniors in the same month, ending the opposition's 33-match unbeaten run in national competitions; during his tenure at the Estadio Libertadores de América, he also managed an unprecedented four consecutive home victories as well as a 4–1 defeat of Racing Club de Avellaneda in a local derby, but the club was also relegated to the Primera B Nacional even though he left into the season to be replaced by Américo Gallego.
Subsequently, Díaz had abroad stints at Deportes Iquique and Club Deportivo Universidad de San Martín de Porres : he led the former team to the group stage of the Copa Libertadores for the first time ever, and was appointed at the latter on 17 December 2014.
Díaz returned to his country and its top level in February 2016, joining Olimpo. In spite of the side finishing in last place they avoided relegation on the coefficient rule, and he left his post on 4 December.
On 5 April 2017, Díaz signed for Quilmes Atlético Club, this time not being able to prevent relegation to division two. In late June of the following year, he was appointed at Santa Tecla F.C. from the Salvadoran Primera División.

Honours

Player

Udinese
Independiente
Arsenal Sarandí