Ariel Holan

Ariel Holan
Personal information
Full name Ariel Enrique Holan
Date of birth 14 September 1960
Place of birth Lomas de Zamora, Argentina
Height 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Youth career
Years Team
Banfield
Managerial career
2003–2004 Arsenal de Sarandí (assistant)
2005 Estudiantes (assistant)
2006 Independiente (assistant)
2008 Banfield (assistant)
2009–2010 Arsenal de Sarandí (assistant)
2011 Argentinos Juniors (youth)
2011–2012 River Plate (assistant)
2013–2015 Banfield (assistant)
2015–2016 Defensa y Justicia
2017–2019 Independiente
2020–2021 Universidad Católica
2021 Santos
2021–2022 León
2022–2023 Universidad Católica
Medal record
Women's Field Hockey
Representing Uruguay
Pan American Games
Bronze medal – third place 2003 Santo Domingo Team Competition

Ariel Enrique Holan (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈariel ˈxolan]; born 14 September 1960) is an Argentine professional football manager.

Field hockey career

Holan was born in Lomas de Zamora, in the Buenos Aires Province. Despite stating that his childhood passion was football, he started his career playing field hockey for Lomas Athletic Club. He quit his playing career in 1979, while at San Martín, following the death of his father.

In 1976, aged only 16, Holan took over Lomas' women's B-team, remaining in charge for three years before moving to Club Alemán. After eight years, he was appointed coach of Olivos' women team, being in charge for three seasons.

In 1990, Holan was Gustavo Paolucci's assistant at the Argentina women's national team for the year's World Cup. After the end of the tournament, he returned to Lomas, now as coach of the women's main squad.

Holan subsequently worked with Banfield, San Fernando and Gimnasia y Esgrima de Buenos Aires before taking over Uruguay women's national team in 2003. At the 2003 Pan American Games held in Santo Domingo, his side won the Bronze medal after losing the semifinals to champions Argentina.

Football career

Early career

In 2003, after attending soccer clinics in Pennsylvania and Atlantic City, Holan was appointed Jorge Burruchaga's assistant at Arsenal de Sarandí. He continued to work with Burrruchaga in the following years, at Estudiantes, Independiente, Banfield and back at Arsenal.

In 2011, Holan took over Argentinos Juniors' youth categories. On 26 June 2011, he was named Matías Almeyda's assistant at River Plate, and was a part of the club's staff during the promotion back to the top tier. He also worked as Almeyda's assistant at Banfield.

Defensa y Justicia

On 11 June 2015, Holan was named Defensa y Justicia manager, replacing José Oscar Flores. Earning plaudits for the team's performances, he led the club to a Copa Sudamericana qualification (the club's first ever international tournament), but resigned on 14 November 2016.

Independiente

On 29 December 2016, Holan was appointed manager of Independiente, in the place of fired Gabriel Milito. Roughly one year later, he lifted the 2017 Copa Sudamericana after defeating Flamengo at the Maracanã Stadium.

On 20 December 2017, Holan announced that he would not renew his contract with Independiente, which was due to expire in the end of the year. Three days later, however, he signed a new contract until the end of 2018.

On 27 June 2018, Holan extended his contract with Independiente until 2021. On 10 July of the following year, he left the club on a mutual agreement.

Universidad Católica

On 16 December 2019, Holan signed a two-year contract with Chilean Primera División side Universidad Católica. He led the side to their Campeonato Nacional accolade in 2020, the club's third consecutive league title, but left the club on 18 February 2021 due to a clause on his contract that allowed him to leave the club at the end of the season.

Santos

On 22 February 2021, Holan was announced as the new head coach of Brazilian club Santos on a three-year contract. On 26 April 2021, it was announced that he resigned from his post, after an incident with supporters and fireworks in front of his residence. He was the Santos manager for only 12 games (four wins, three ties and five losses).

León

On 11 May 2021, Holan was announced as the new head coach of Mexican Club León. On 21 April 2022, it was announced that he would no longer manage the club. During his time in the club he was able to win the Leagues Cup final against Seattle Sounders. He also reached the Liga MX Apertura 2021 Final, where the team were runner-ups to the championship.

Return to Universidad Católica

On 30 April 2022, Holan resigned from his position to rejoin Universidad Católica, signing a contract until Dec 31st 2023. He was sacked on 17 July 2023, after a poor run of form in the league.

Managerial statistics

As of match played 16 July 2023
Managerial record by team and tenure
Team Nat From To Record Ref
G W D L GF GA GD Win %
Defensa y Justicia 11 June 2015 14 November 2016 47 17 13 17 51 42 +9 036.17
Independiente 29 December 2016 30 June 2019 104 49 32 23 152 89 +63 047.12
Universidad Católica 16 December 2019 18 February 2021 47 23 14 10 79 52 +27 048.94
Santos 22 February 2021 26 April 2021 12 4 3 5 12 19 −7 033.33
León 11 May 2021 21 April 2022 43 18 10 15 46 45 +1 041.86
Universidad Católica 9 May 2022 21 July 2023 47 20 12 15 77 58 +19 042.55
Total 300 131 84 85 417 305 +112 043.67

Honours

Manager

Independiente

Universidad Católica

León