Recent from talks
Nothing was collected or created yet.
Luis Islas
View on Wikipedia
Luis Alberto Islas Ranieri (born 22 December 1965 in Buenos Aires, Argentina) is an Argentine football manager and former player.
Key Information
A goalkeeper who won the FIFA World Cup with Argentina in 1986, Islas played for the Argentina national team, Independiente, Estudiantes de La Plata and León.
Playing career
[edit]Club
[edit]Islas started his career as a goalkeeper in Chacarita Juniors in the early 1980s. He earned his nickname el loco ("crazy") because of his flair and temperament.
In late 1982 Islas was transferred to Estudiantes. There, he alternated with Carlos Bertero in the team that won the Nacional championship title in 1983.
He was transferred to Independiente in 1986 and played for two years. He then went to Atlético Madrid in 1988 but did not play a game and was loaned to CD Logroñés. He came back to Independiente in 1990 and helped the team win the Clausura 1994 and two international titles.
He retired in 2003 after playing 241 games for Independiente.
International
[edit]Islas was part of Argentina's Youth Football Team that finished runner-up at the 1983 FIFA World Youth Championship.
Islas was the substitute goalkeeper during the 1986 World Cup, which Argentina won. Angry that he was still a substitute for Nery Pumpido, he resigned the national team just before the 1990 World Cup. Pumpido was injured in the second match during that cup, so third goalkeeper Sergio Goycochea was put to the fore, and was selected the best goalkeeper of the tournament. After the cup, Islas returned to the national team under new coach Alfio Basile. Because Goycochea had some weak matches during the qualifiers to the 1994 World Cup, Islas was the starting goalkeeper for Argentina during the 1994 World Cup.
Managerial career
[edit]After a stint in Bolivia, Islas managed Argentine side Club Almagro from November 2006 to May 2007, after which Islas returned to Bolivia to manage Aurora but resigned in September 2007.[1]
Career statistics
[edit]| Argentina national team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Apps | Goals |
| 1984 | 3 | 0 |
| 1985 | 2 | 0 |
| 1986 | 1 | 0 |
| 1987 | 5 | 0 |
| 1988 | 4 | 0 |
| 1989 | 4 | 0 |
| 1990 | 0 | 0 |
| 1991 | 0 | 0 |
| 1992 | 3 | 0 |
| 1993 | 1 | 0 |
| 1994 | 7 | 0 |
| Total | 30 | 0 |
Honours
[edit]- Estudiantes
- Independiente
- Argentina
- FIFA World Cup: 1986
- Copa América: 1993
- FIFA Confederations Cup: 1992
- CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions: 1993
- Individual
References
[edit]- ^ (in Spanish) Diario Olé
- ^ Luis Islas at National-Football-Teams.com
Luis Islas
View on GrokipediaPlaying career
Club career
Luis Islas began his professional football career as a goalkeeper with Chacarita Juniors in 1982, making his debut in the Argentine Primera División at the age of 16.[12] In 1983, he joined Estudiantes de La Plata, where he quickly established himself as the first-choice goalkeeper and contributed to the club's success in winning the 1983 Metropolitano championship, their first league title in a decade.[13] Islas remained with Estudiantes until 1986, appearing in over 100 league matches during this period and gaining recognition for his shot-stopping abilities and command in the penalty area.[12] Islas transferred to Independiente in 1986, marking the start of a long association with the club that spanned multiple stints. During his initial spell from 1986 to 1988, he solidified his role as a key player in the team's defense, though major titles eluded them in those years.[12] Seeking opportunities abroad, Islas moved to Spanish club CD Logroñés in 1989, where he played a full La Liga season in 1989-90, featuring in all 35 matches and helping the team avoid relegation with notable performances against top sides.[2] Returning to Independiente in 1990, Islas enjoyed his most successful club phase, serving as the primary goalkeeper until 1995 and accumulating over 150 appearances. The team achieved significant honors under his watch, including the 1994 Torneo Clausura, where his consistent saves were instrumental in securing the domestic title.[14] That same year, Independiente won the Supercopa Libertadores, defeating Boca Juniors in a high-stakes final, with Islas earning praise for his penalty saves.[14] In 1995, he played a pivotal role in the Recopa Sudamericana victory over Vélez Sársfield, keeping a clean sheet in the 1–0 win to clinch the continental super cup.[15] After leaving Independiente, Islas had brief spells with Newell's Old Boys in the second half of 1995 and Platense in early 1996, providing veteran stability but without adding to his trophy cabinet.[12] He then ventured to Mexico, joining Deportivo Toluca from 1996 to 1997, where he appeared in league and cup competitions, followed by a return to Argentina with Huracán from 1998 to 1999.[12] In 2000, Islas signed with Tigre for a short stint before moving back to Mexico with Club León, where he played from 2000 to 2002 and served as a mentor to younger players amid the club's mid-table campaigns.[12] His final major move was to Talleres de Córdoba in 2002, helping the team in their fight against relegation through crucial interventions in goal.[12] Islas concluded his playing career with a sentimental return to Independiente in 2003, appearing in several matches before retiring at age 37 later that year, having amassed over 400 professional appearances across his career.[12]International career
Luis Islas earned 30 caps for the Argentina national team between 1984 and 1994, during which he kept several clean sheets but did not score any goals.[16] His international debut occurred on 1 September 1984 in a friendly against Switzerland, a 2–0 victory for Argentina in which Islas played the full match.[5] Over the years, he appeared in various friendlies and tournaments, serving primarily as a reliable backup goalkeeper before becoming a starter in major competitions.[5] Islas was part of Argentina's squad for the 1986 FIFA World Cup in Mexico, contributing to the team's triumphant campaign as the second-choice goalkeeper behind Nery Pumpido, though he did not feature in any of the seven matches en route to the title.[17] Islas also represented Argentina at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, appearing in matches as the team reached the quarter-finals.[18] In the 1987 Copa América held in Argentina, he played four matches (group stage vs Peru and Ecuador, semi-final vs Uruguay, third-place match vs Colombia), as Argentina finished fourth after a 1–2 loss to Colombia in the playoff.[5] Two years later, at the 1989 Copa América in Brazil, Islas made two appearances in the group stage as Argentina exited in the first round. Islas was part of the Argentina squad that won the 1993 Copa América in Ecuador, though he did not play in the tournament. Islas started all three of Argentina's matches in the 1992 King Fahd Cup (precursor to the FIFA Confederations Cup) in Saudi Arabia, keeping a clean sheet in the 1–0 win over the United States, contributing to a 2–1 win over Ivory Coast, and a 3–1 victory over Saudi Arabia in the final to win the tournament.[19] His most prominent role came during the 1994 FIFA World Cup in the United States, where he assumed starting duties after Pumpido's injury in the second group game. Islas played the full 90 minutes in the 4–0 rout of Greece, the 2–1 win over Nigeria, and the round-of-16 loss to Romania (2–3), making crucial saves including a double stop early in the Romania match despite the eventual defeat that eliminated Argentina.Managerial career
Assistant coaching roles
Luis Islas began his coaching career in assistant roles, leveraging his experience as a 1986 World Cup-winning goalkeeper to contribute to several prominent teams. His early positions often involved specialized responsibilities, such as goalkeeping coaching, under established managers like Alfio Basile. From 2004 to 2008, Islas served as goalkeeping coach for Club Atlético Colón, Boca Juniors, and the Argentina national team, working under Basile during successful campaigns that included Boca's 2005 Copa Sudamericana and Recopa Sudamericana triumphs.[11] In 2009, Islas transitioned to a more general assistant role with Américo Gallego at Independiente, where he supported the team's efforts in the Argentine Primera División as ayudante de campo, focusing on tactical preparation and player development during a challenging season for the club.[20][21] Islas's most notable assistant tenures came alongside Diego Maradona, his former teammate from the 1986 World Cup squad. In 2017, he joined Maradona as assistant manager at Al-Fujairah SC in the UAE Pro-League, helping implement an aggressive, attacking style that guided the team to promotion from the second division after a playoff victory over Al Urooba. Islas emphasized structured planning and player empowerment in this role, contributing to a historic campaign for the club.[22][8][23] The following year, Islas reunited with Maradona at Dorados de Sinaloa in Mexico's Liga de Ascenso, again as assistant coach. Under their leadership, Dorados achieved a remarkable turnaround, advancing to the Apertura 2018 final despite starting near the bottom of the standings; they secured promotion playoffs but fell short in the championship match against Atlante. Islas managed sideline duties during key games, including when Maradona watched from the stands due to health issues, and adapted strategies to the league's physical demands while handling intense media and fan pressure.[24][25][26]Head coaching positions
Luis Islas began his head coaching career in 2006 with short stints at Club Aurora in Bolivia, where he managed the team twice during that year and the following one, focusing on stabilizing the squad in the Liga de Fútbol Profesional Boliviano.[27] In late 2006, Islas took over as head coach of Club Almagro in Argentina's Primera B Nacional, leading the team from December 2006 to March 2007, during which he aimed to improve defensive organization drawing from his goalkeeping background, though the tenure ended without significant league advancement.[7] Islas returned to management in 2011 with Central Norte in Argentina's Torneo Argentino A, serving from February to August and guiding the club through regional competition with an emphasis on youth development.[7] His next role came in 2013 at Racing de Córdoba in the Torneo Argentino A, where he managed from March to September, implementing tactical adjustments to enhance midfield control amid a challenging season.[11] In 2014, Islas coached Atlético Colegiales in Argentina's Primera C Metropolitana from June to November, prioritizing solid defensive setups that reflected his playing experience, resulting in mid-table stability.[27] From June 2015 to October 2016, he led Deportivo Español in the Primera B Metropolitana, focusing on team cohesion and gradual performance improvement over the extended period.[11] Islas managed Sol de América in Paraguay's Primera División from February to July 2020, overseeing 6 matches with a points per match average of 1.17, amid the disruptions of the early COVID-19 pandemic.[11] In 2021, he took charge of Sol de Mayo de Viedma in Argentina's Torneo Federal B from July to December, managing 17 matches and achieving a points per match of 1.76, which helped the team maintain competitiveness in regional play.[11] A brief stint followed in 2022 at Sportivo Desamparados in the Torneo Federal A from May to June, covering 6 matches with a points per match of 0.67, aimed at averting relegation risks.[11] From August to December 2023, Islas coached Sacachispas in Argentina's Primera B Metropolitana, emphasizing disciplined play to build squad resilience in the lower divisions.[7] In December 2024, Islas had a very short tenure as head coach of Club El Porvenir in Argentina's Primera B Metropolitana, appointed on December 23 but resigning on December 26 due to internal disagreements and suboptimal working conditions, without managing any matches.[28][29] Most recently, in 2025, he served as head coach of Ayacucho FC in Peru's Liga 1 from May to June, managing 5 matches with a points per match of 0.60, focusing on integrating new players during a transitional phase for the club.[11]Career statistics
Club statistics
Luis Islas enjoyed a professional club career as a goalkeeper from 1982 to 2003, accumulating 214 appearances across leagues in Argentina, Spain, and Mexico, during which he conceded 270 goals while securing 68 clean sheets.[5] Detailed performance metrics from his stints at key clubs highlight his contributions in top-tier competitions, with a focus on appearances, goals conceded, and clean sheets. Note that comprehensive per-club breakdowns are partial; totals are aggregate from all competitions.[30]| Club | Appearances | Goals Conceded | Clean Sheets |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA Independiente | 54 | 64 | 23 |
| CD Logroñés | 37 | 46 | 15 |
| Club León FC | 34 | 43 | 9 |
| Deportivo Toluca | 29 | 45 | 6 |
| CA Huracán | 17 | 24 | 3 |
| Club Estudiantes de La Plata | 19 | 26 | 5 |
| CA Talleres | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| Newell's Old Boys | 10 | 12 | 2 |
| Others (Platense, Tigre, etc.) | 13 | 7 | 5 |
| Total | 214 | 270 | 68 |
International statistics
Luis Islas represented the Argentina national team at the senior level from 1984 to 1994, accumulating 30 caps without scoring any goals as a goalkeeper.[5][31] His appearances spanned friendlies, World Cup qualifiers, and major tournaments, where he served primarily as a reliable deputy before becoming a starter later in his international career. Additionally, he made 4 appearances for Argentina at the 1988 Summer Olympics.[32] Islas was included in Argentina's squad for the 1986 FIFA World Cup in Mexico, which the team won, but he did not feature in any of the seven matches, acting as backup to Nery Pumpido.[33][34] His World Cup debut came eight years later at the 1994 tournament in the United States, where he started all four games: the group stage victories over Greece (4–0) and Nigeria (2–1), the loss to Bulgaria (0–2), and the round-of-16 penalty shootout defeat to Romania (2–2, 3–2 on penalties).[5][33] In the Copa América, Islas participated in the 1987 edition in Argentina, playing three matches as the host nation finished fourth: the group wins over Peru (1–0) and Ecuador (3–0), and the third-place loss to Colombia (1–2).[5] He also appeared in two group stage games at the 1989 Copa América in Brazil: a 0–1 loss to Chile and a 1–1 draw with Ecuador, as Argentina exited in the first round.[5] He was an unused substitute in the 1993 Copa América victory. These five tournament appearances highlighted his growing role under coaches like Carlos Bilardo and later successors.[31] The remainder of his caps came in friendlies and qualifiers, including seven in 1994 alone during World Cup preparations.[5] Below is a summary of his appearances by major competition:| Competition | Appearances | Years | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| FIFA World Cup | 4 | 1994 | Started all matches; quarter-final exit |
| Copa América | 5 | 1987, 1989 | 3 in 1987 (4th place), 2 in 1989 (group stage); unused in 1993 win |
| Friendlies & Qualifiers | 21 | 1984–1994 | Includes 7 in 1994; total senior caps: 30 |
| Summer Olympics | 4 | 1988 | U-23 level |
