Early Life and Career
Francisco Maturana was born on February 15, 1949, in Quibdó, a city located in the Chocó Department of Colombia. Growing up, Maturana had a deep passion for football and spent most of his time playing the sport with his friends. He would often skip school to watch football matches and dreamt of one day becoming a professional football player.
Maturana's dream of becoming a professional football player was cut short when he suffered a serious knee injury that forced him to retire from the sport at the age of 21. Despite this setback, Maturana remained determined to stay involved in football and decided to pursue a career as a coach.
Maturana's First Stint as a Manager
Maturana's first coaching job came in 1979 when he was appointed as the manager of Deportivo Pereira, a Colombian football club. Despite his lack of experience, Maturana quickly established himself as a talented manager and led Deportivo Pereira to the top of the league table in his first season in charge.
Under Maturana's guidance, Deportivo Pereira played an attacking brand of football that was highly entertaining to watch. His tactical acumen and ability to motivate his players were key factors in the team's success. Maturana's success at Deportivo Pereira caught the attention of other clubs, and he was soon offered the opportunity to manage other teams in Colombia.
The 1985 Copa Libertadores Triumph
In 1985, Maturana achieved one of the greatest feats of his career when he led Atlético Nacional to victory in the Copa Libertadores, South America's premier club competition. The team's success was built on a solid defensive foundation, with Maturana employing a 4-4-2 formation that allowed his team to control the midfield and limit their opponents' attacking opportunities.
Maturana's ability to motivate his players and instil a winning mentality was evident throughout the competition. The team's never-say-die attitude was on full display in the final against América de Cali, where they overturned a 2-0 deficit from the first leg to win 5-4 on aggregate. Maturana's tactical genius and exceptional leadership skills were instrumental in Atlético Nacional's historic triumph.
Maturana's Second Spell as a National Team Manager
After his success with Atlético Nacional, Maturana was appointed as the manager of the Colombian national team in 1987. He led the team to the 1990 World Cup in Italy, where they reached the round of 16 before being knocked out by Cameroon. Maturana's tactical versatility was on full display in the tournament, as he switched between a 4-4-2 and a 3-5-2 formation depending on the opposition.
Maturana's second spell as the Colombian national team manager was equally successful, as he led the team to the quarter-finals of the 2001 Copa América. His tactical acumen and ability to get the best out of his players were once again evident, as he guided the team to victories over Ecuador and Paraguay before losing to Mexico in the quarter-finals.
The 1990 World Cup Campaign
The 1990 World Cup campaign was a defining moment in Maturana's career. Despite being drawn in a tough group that included the United Arab Emirates, Yugoslavia, and eventual champions West Germany, Maturana's team played with confidence and conviction.
Maturana's tactical flexibility was key to Colombia's success in the tournament. Against the United Arab Emirates, he employed a 4-4-2 formation that allowed his team to dominate the game and win 2-0. Against Yugoslavia, Maturana switched to a 3-5-2 formation that allowed his team to control the midfield and limit their opponents' attacking opportunities. Colombia won the game 1-0.
Although Colombia was knocked out of the tournament by Cameroon in the round of 16, Maturana's team had won the hearts of football fans worldwide with their attacking style of play and never-say-die attitude.
Return to Club Management
After his success with the Colombian national team, Maturana returned to club management, where he continued to achieve success. He led América de Cali to the Colombian league title in 1992 and 1997, and also had successful spells with Deportivo Cali and Millonarios.
Maturana's success as a club manager was built on his ability to develop young players and build cohesive teams. His attention to detail and tactical acumen were also key factors in his success, as he was able to adapt his tactics to suit the strengths of his players.
Maturana's Impact on Colombian Football
Francisco Maturana's impact on Colombian football cannot be overstated. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest managers in the country's history and has left a lasting legacy on the sport.
Maturana's tactical flexibility, strategic thinking, and exceptional leadership skills have been an inspiration to many young managers in Colombia and around the world. His success with Atlético Nacional and the Colombian national team have also helped to put Colombian football on the map and have earned him the respect and admiration of football fans worldwide.
Awards and Accolades
Francisco Maturana's success as a manager has been recognized with numerous awards and accolades. He has won the Colombian league title on six occasions and has also won the Copa Libertadores, the Copa Interamericana, and the Copa Merconorte.
Maturana's success with the Colombian national team has also been recognized, as he was named the South American Coach of the Year in 1987 and 1993. He was also awarded the prestigious Order of the Congress of Colombia for his contributions to Colombian football.
