The head coach of the Colombia national team, Nestor Lorenzo, was included in the Top 10 of the best national team managers in the world in 2025, according to the latest ranking published by the International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS). The Argentine strategist ranked eighth, a recognition that highlights the solid process he has led with the national team and once again places Colombia among the most competitive national sides on the international stage.
This recognition comes at a pivotal moment for Colombian football, following several years marked by inconsistent sporting performances and the country’s absence from the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Lorenzo’s management has brought about a profound change in results, playing style, and collective confidence — factors that are now being valued globally.
It is worth noting that Nestor Lorenzo did not occupy the eighth position alone, as he shared 8th place with Timur Kapadze, head coach of Uzbekistan (one of Colombia’s group rivals in the 2026 World Cup). Both managers earned 10 points according to the IFFHS classification.
The Top 10 best nationalteam managers in the world in 2025
The IFFHS ranking evaluates the performance of national team coaches throughout the year, taking into account official results, consistency, international competitiveness, and sporting achievements. In the 2025 edition, the list is as follows:
Top 10 – IFFHS Ranking 2025
Luis de la Fuente – Spain (136 points)
Roberto Martinez – Portugal (83 points)
Lionel Scaloni – Argentina (59 points)
Ståle Solbakken – Norway (48 points)
Thomas Tuchel – England (41 points)
Didier Deschamps – France (30 points)
Walid Regragui – Morocco (25 points)
Timur Kapadze – Uzbekistan (10 points)
Néstor Lorenzo – Colombia (10 points)
Javier Aguirre – Mexico (8 points)
Nestor Lorenzo’s Career: From World Cup player to elite coach
Before consolidating his reputation as a national team coach, Nestor Lorenzo built an extensive football career. As a player, he was a central defender and enjoyed a notable trajectory with clubs in Argentina and Europe. His greatest achievement came in 1990, when he finished as World Cup runner-up with Argentina at the tournament in Italy.
After retiring, he began his coaching career, standing out for more than 15 years as an assistant coach to Jose Pekerman. In that role, he was part of successful processes with Argentina’s youth teams and later with the Colombia national team, including the 2014 and 2018 World Cups. This experience proved crucial for his eventual step up as head coach, first with Melgar of Peru and later with Colombia.
Nestor Lorenzo’s process with the Colombia national team
Lorenzo took charge of the Colombia national team in 2022, following the failure to qualify for the Qatar World Cup. Since then, the team has undergone a remarkable transformation. Under his leadership, Colombia has regained confidence, identity, and prominence, embracing a more offensive and well-balanced style of play.
Among his most notable achievements is reaching the final of the 2024 Copa America, after eliminating teams such as Brazil and Uruguay, as well as an outstanding campaign in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, where Colombia secured qualification ahead of schedule. Additionally, results like the draw against Argentina in Buenos Aires highlighted the team’s tactical solidity and competitive growth.