Tuca Ferretti has made a name for himself on the soccer stage both as a player and coach. As a player, he was associated with clubs such as Botafogo, Vasco da Gama, and the ‘Club Universidad Nacional, A.C (UNAM). As a coach, he has managed teams like Tigres UANL, Pumas UNAM, Toluca, Guadalajara, and Monarcas Morelia, including his current team Juarez.
During his playing days, he was an attacking midfielder and a free-kick specialist. Also, he and Ignacio Trelles Campos are the only two managers in the history of Mexican football to manage a thousand league matches each.
The Brazilian-born Mexican coach has demonstrated his exceptional qualities both as a player and as a coach. That is why he has quite a long list of titles and honors to his name.
Here Are 12 Fascinating Facts about the Brazilian-Mexican Football Manager, Tuca Ferretti
1. He Was Born In Brazil But Has Mexican Ancestry
He was born on the 22nd of February 1954 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil but is of Mexican descent. His parents are known as Victorino Ferretti (father) and Oliveria Aryad (mother).
He was the 4th child of his parents’ 5 children and as such has 3 older siblings and a younger sibling. The former player-turned-coach developed a passion for the game of soccer while he was young. His love for it was such that he didn’t mind playing it all day at the beach in Rio.
2. Tuca Wasn’t His Name At Birth
His parents named him Ricardo Ferretti de Oliveira when he was born. While growing up, he earned his nickname ‘Tuca’. Moreover, his mother gave him the name as it was supposedly the first word he said as a child. Ever since the name stuck with the Brazilian and has become a widely known moniker.
3. He Was A Free-Kick Specialist in His Playing Days
The 71 year-old launched his soccer career in 1971 with Botafogo and over a period of 20 years, he played for several clubs. Some things that stood out with his career are the facts that he was an attacking midfield player who had great mobility, was a leader, and could make powerful right-foot shots.
However, the most important about his career as a player was the fact that Tuco was considered a ‘free-kick specialist’. His title was proven time and again and so made it stick as one of his most notable features.
4. He Began His Coaching Career At UNAM, The Same Club He Ended His Playing At
The former Botafogo player ended his football playing career with the club UNAM in 1991. It was with this club that he had his most plays and career statistic. However, he chose to hang his boot in 1991 after being with the club during the 1990-1991 season.
Interestingly, as soon as his playing career ended in the said year, his coaching career began in the same club. Tuco managed UNAM from 1991 to 1996 before he moved to Guadalajara.
5. Ferretti Served As The Interim Manager of The Mexican National Team Thrice
The 71 year-old Tuco served as an interim coach for the Mexican National team thrice. However, he has indicated his lack of interest in taking up the responsibility as a full-time job.
The coach who was called upon in 2003, 2015, and 2018 to serve as an interim manager for the team decided against being more than that. Upon being offered the job in 2018, he once again turned down the offer.
One of the reasons he keeps being considered for the job is the fact that he has led the team to wins under his management. Furthermore, the national team has severally had issues with coaches. The team’s management believed that he is the best man for the job and have tried to get him, permanently.
6. The Experienced Coach Turned Down a 10-year Coaching Job in the United States of America
Ferretti has not only turned down managing the Mexican national team, but he has also turned down a juicy offer in the United States. The coach was once offered a job in the US but he didn’t accept it.
When asked about his reason for not wanting to move, Tuco’s response was that he doesn’t know how to speak the English language and he had no interest in learning. His lack of English skill wasn’t a deterring factor to the American soccer executives who kept reaching out to him.
He even recalled how his friend and a fellow player once offered him a job. The job was in the U.S to coach youth teams in view of developing the players for the MLS. If the former Tigres UANL coach had taken up this offer, he’d have been signed on a 10-year deal. However, he declined and chose to remain in Mexico coaching the clubs.
7. His Move to FC Juarez is Considered the Team’s Biggest Move
In June of 2021, FC Juarez made a huge investment when they hired one of Mexico’s top managers, Ricardo Ferretti. The club which has suffered great losses and had finished bottom third was eager to get the coach on board.
Tuco has made a huge name for himself with his impressive stints with the Tigres and was definitely a great choice. Although he wasn’t the only change the club made to their team, he is considered the most impressive.
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8. He Received A 3 Match Ban For Inappropriate Remarks
After a 3-1 loss to Tigres by Juarez, in a press conference, the coach made some comments that did not sit well. His comment was reported as sexist and homophobic and as such went against the rule and ethics of the FMF.
Given this, the coach was handed a three-match ban and was further warned about any other misconduct in the future. Subsequently, he apologized and promised to be more careful with his jokes.
9. Is There Any Information About His Family?
Former head coach of Tigres, Tuco, may be one of the most sought-after Mexican coaches but that’s the most about him. He is quite a private man who keeps his personal life, private.
There have been no details about his wife and family in the media. There was a time that there was a mention of his son in a video but nothing much was revealed.
10. The [age dob=”19540222″] Year-old is Active on Social Media
FC Juarez’s coach is quite an interesting man to follow on his social media. On Twitter, he has amassed over 85k followers and regularly keeps his followers abreast of information concerning him and his job. He occasionally shares jokes and funny videos on his wall on Twitter. He shows that he is not ‘all work and no play.’
11. Tuco Ferretti is Worth $20 Million in Net Worth
After having an impressive career as a football player, the Brazilian-Mexican coach has an even more impressive net worth. Ferretti is reportedly worth $20 million and has amassed such wealth from both his playing and coaching careers. With the Mexican Liga MX club ‘Tigres’, he earned an annual salary of $3.8 million.
12. Is He Tall?
The former player-turned-coach is of average height. He is 5 feet 6 inches (1.73m) tall and has a body weight of 74kg (163lbs).
Complete profile of Tuco Ferretti
| Tuca Ferretti | |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Ricardo Ferretti de Oliveira |
| Date of Birth | 22 February 1954 |
| Age | 71 years |
| Zodiac Sign | Pisces |
| Birth place | Rio de Janeiro, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil |
| Nationality | Brazilian-Mexican |
| Education | NA |
| Profession | Professional Football Manager and Former Player |
| Clubs | 1971–1975 Botafogo 1975–1976 Vasco da Gama 1976–1977 Bonsucesso 1977–1978 Atlas 1978–1985 UNAM 1985–1986 Neza 1986–1987 Monterrey 1988–1990 Toluca 1990–1991 UNAM Teams Managed 1991–1996 UNAM 1993 Mexico (interim) 1996–2000 Guadalajara 2000–2003 UANL 2003–2004 Toluca 2005 Morelia 2006 UANL 2006–2010 UNAM 2010–2021 UANL 2015 Mexico (interim) 2018 Mexico (interim) 2021– Juárez |
| Father | Aryad de Oliveira |
| Mother | Victorino Ferretti |
| Siblings | Fernando Ferretti |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Spouse/Partner | NA |
| Girlfriend | NA |
| Kids | NA |
| Estimated Net Worth: | $20 million |
| Source of net worth | Football career |
| Height | Feet- 5ft 8inches |
| Weight | 74 kg |
| Eye color | Black |
| Hair color | Black |
| Social media | Instagram |
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