Rodolfo Zapata (born 1 May 1966) is an Argentine professional football manager and former player who is the head coach of Bhutan Premier League club Thimphu City.https://www.kickoff.com/world-news/around-the-world/former-psl-coach-rodolfo-zapata-takes-on-new-coaching-gig-in-asia
He holds Argentine Football Association and CONMEBOL PRO coaching licenses.
Playing career Zapata began his playing career as a goalkeeper in the Argentinian Primera B Nacional. He played for Huracán, Sportivo Italiano, Racing de Olavarría, San Miguel and Cipolletti.
Managerial career Canada In 2000, Zapata taught seminars for coaches and players development in the cities of Calgary and Edmonton that were promoted by the Alberta Soccer Association. He also planned and coordinated activities of coaching staff.
United States In 2001, he was the head coach of United Nations International School in New York City. He was head coach of the USA Olympic Development Program from 2001 to 2009, a national program for identifying and developing youth football players to represent the United States in international competitions.
Sunshine Stars In January 2010, he was appointed head coach of Nigeria Professional Football League side Sunshine Stars.
Mpumalanga Black Aces For the 2011–12 season, Rodolfo was appointed as head coach of Mpumalanga Black Aces of the South African National First Division.
Return to the United States In September 2012, Zapata returned to the United States as head coach of the United States Youth Soccer Association and the New Jersey Youth Soccer Association. His role was the identification and recruitment of young players.
Gaborone United From 2016 to 2018, Zapata was head coach of Gaborone United of the Botswana Premier League. The club suffered financial and internal troubles during his time. He contributed to the progress of fifteen under-23 players into the first team, while avoiding relegation.
AFC Leopards In May 2018, AFC Leopards announced Zapata as their new head coach for the remainder of the Kenyan Premier League season.
Township Rollers In 2019, Zapata was appointed as the new head coach of Township Rollers in Botswana. He won the 2018–19 Botswana Premier League with the club. As a result, Township Rollers qualified for the 2019–20 CAF Champions League. As head coach, Zapata oversaw a possession-based and attacking style of play.
Mukura Victory Sports In March 2021, Rodolfo joined Mukura Victory Sports of the Rwanda Premier League.
Fiji Football Association After his experience in Rwanda, Zapata signed as head coach of the Fiji national under-20 team for the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup.
Montego Bay United Zapata joined Montego Bay United of the Jamaica Premier League ahead of the 2024–25 season. At the time of his departure, Montego Bay United were third in the league.
References
External links All you need to know about Rodolfo Zapata in 90 seconds Salida laboral ¿Qué pasa, por ejemplo, cuando no conseguís trabajo en tu país? Zapata, el argentino que triunfa en Botswana AFC Leopards is destined for a better future Nigeria National Team: Argentine Coach is a new NFF candidate Botswana football: Can Rodolfo Zapata pull Gaborone United out of the red? Na Nigéria, técnico argentino dá dicas a Maradona Las claves del primer rival La Seleccion de Nigeria es floja en defensa Messi no luce porque no tiene asimilado el concepto de equipo TNT Sports Argentina: Futbol for Export Rodolfo Zapata COACH RODOLFO ZAPATA - Sunshine Stars FC, Nigeria Premier League