Carlos Tevez has landed his first managerial role after being appointed as first-team coach of Argentine giants Rosario Central.
The former Manchester United and Manchester City striker only announced his retirement earlier this month. Tevez last played for Boca Juniors, where he struck 22 times in 66 league games but left his boyhood club in June 2021.
That brought an end to a spectacular playing career which spanned over two decades and included over 300 club goals, encompassing spells in Argentina, Brazil, England, Italy and China. Tevez also netted 13 goals in 76 international caps for Argentina.
Rosario Central confirmed his appointment on a 12-month contract commencing on Tuesday after an agreement was reached. The Argentine club also confirmed that Carlos Retegui would form part of Tevez’s coaching staff.
Tevez – who spent seven seasons in English football across spells with West Ham, Manchester United and Manchester City - retired from playing in 2021 after losing his father to Covid but has now returned to the game in his first management position.
A report from Argentine media outlet Ole this week had claimed that Tevez did not possess the requisite coaching badges for the role and the appointment of Retegui – who did possess the badges – would allow the former forward to take an influential role from the bench. The same report added that brothers Diego, Miguel and Ariel Tevez would be added to the coaching staff.
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Rosario Central vice-president Ricardo Carloni said about bringing Tevez into the club: “When I met him, I saw that he has the flame of a winner. We talked about the club’s projects and he seemed very good to us.” Tevez had said in recent interview : "I am going to be a coach. I have taken that decision. I have the same butterflies in my stomach as I had when I played. My teams are going to play the way I feel football."
Despite having little to no experience in first-team management, Tevez has been picking the brains of Serie A winners Max Allegri and Stefano Pioli after he took in training sessions with both Juventus and Milan. Rosario goalkeeper Servio admitted he is excited to work with Tevez.
"For me it's something special that Carlitos [Tevez] can come here. If he does come here, the group will back him to the death. I hope he comes. He has a lot of experience as a player and we are all predisposed to learn and to help Central," he said. Throughout an illustrious career, Tevez scored 308 goals in 746 games during spells in five different countries. He started at boyhood club Boca Juniors, before going on to play for the likes of West Ham, United, City and Juventus.
