Gustavo Alfaro has stepped down as the head coach of Costa Rica after a brief nine-month tenure. The Argentine's departure was confirmed on Friday, amid rumours linking him to the Paraguay national team as a possible successor to Daniel Garnero.
The Costa Rican Football Federation (FCRF) expressed gratitude for Alfaro's efforts. "We thank Mr Gustavo and his team for their dedication during their time leading the Costa Rica team," stated the FCRF in a brief announcement.

The FCRF remains committed to its long-term goals. "At FCRF we will continue to build the path towards the 2026 World Cup. We will keep our fans informed and we reiterate our commitment to continue working for the development and success of national football," added the federation.
Alfaro, aged 61, previously managed Ecuador at the 2022 World Cup. Under his guidance, Costa Rica participated in this year's Copa America but were eliminated in the group stage after finishing third.
The official statement from FCRF read: "La FCRF informa la decisión del señor Gustavo Alfaro de dejar el cargo de director técnico de la Selección Nacional. Seguimos hacia adelante, más fuertes que nunca. En FCRF continuaremos construyendo el camino rumbo al Mundial 2026."
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Alfaro's resignation marks a significant change for Costa Rica's national team as they prepare for future tournaments. The federation is now tasked with finding a new head coach who can lead them towards their goals for the 2026 World Cup.
Costa Rica's journey under Alfaro saw some challenges, but his contributions have been acknowledged by both players and officials. The search for his replacement will be crucial in shaping the team's future success.
The next steps for Costa Rica involve not only selecting a new coach but also continuing to develop their football infrastructure and talent pool. Fans are eager to see how these changes will impact their national team's performance in upcoming competitions.