Erwin Sánchez Freking (born 19 October 1969) is a Bolivian former footballer who played as an attacking midfielder, currently a manager.

Dubbed Platini,RELEMBRE O JOGADOR: Erwin Sánchez, o Platini dos Andes (REMEMBER THE PLAYER: Erwin Sánchez, the Platini of the Andes); Trivela, 18 November 2011 (in Portuguese) most of his professional career was spent in Portugal, amassing Primeira Liga totals of 288 matches and 59 goals over 13 seasons mainly in representation of Boavista and Benfica. Retiring in 2005, he subsequently became a coach.El legendario Erwin Sánchez regresa al Boavista como entrenador (Legendary Erwin Sánchez returns to Boavista as manager); Mundo Deportivo, 1 December 2005 (in Spanish)

From 2006 to 2009, Sánchez managed the Bolivia national team after having appeared as a player in the 1994 FIFA World Cup, the country's third participation.

Club career Born in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Sánchez started his career at hometown's Club Destroyers, then moved to Club Bolívar. He was signed by S.L. Benfica for the 1990–91 season, but was not very successful there, also being loaned to Lisbon neighbours G.D. Estoril Praia.

Sánchez joined Boavista F.C. after being released in 1992, eventually becoming one of the team's best players. This prompted a 1997 return to Benfica, but the player again failed to settle, returning to the Axadrezados (chequereds)Erwin Sanchez e Erivan apresentados no Bessa (Erwin Sanchez and Erivan presented at the Bessa); Record, 26 December 1999 (in Portuguese) and being crucial to the club's only league conquest in 2001, with nine goals in 33 games.Erwin Sanchez eleito Jogador da Semana (Erwin Sanchez voted Player of the Week) ; Record, 22 May 2001 (in Portuguese)

After a serious anterior cruciate ligament injury,Boavista fear Sánchez surgery; UEFA, 14 January 2003 Sánchez eventually lost importance in Boavista and left the club in 2004 after a coaching spell,Erwin Sanchez: «Já começamos a ter uma verdadeira equipa» (Erwin Sanchez: "We are starting to look like a real team"); Record, 18 August 2003 (in Portuguese)Erwin Sanchez ainda sem acordo (Erwin Sanchez does not have agreement still); Record, 10 March 2004 (in Portuguese) returning home for a final season with Oriente Petrolero and retiring as a player at the age of 36. In his last appearance, on 14 March 2005 against Club Blooming, he assaulted referee Wilson Aliaga, being suspended for 18 months.Tribunal suspende a “Platiní” Sánchez 18 meses (Court suspends "Platini" Sánchez 18 months); Bolivia.com, 14 August 2005 (in Spanish)

Sánchez had another managerial spell at Boavista,El técnico boliviano Erwin “Platini” Sánchez deja el Boavista (Bolivian manager Erwin "Platini" Sánchez leaves Boavista); Correo del Sur, 10 October 2016 (in Spanish) as well as two each at BloomingSánchez es el nuevo entrenador de Blooming (Sánchez is the new manager of Blooming); Goal, 24 March 2018 (in Spanish) and Oriente Petrolero.Erwin Sánchez vuelve al banquillo de Oriente tras ocho años (Erwin Sánchez returns to Oriente bench after eight years) ; El Portavoz, 19 November 2020 (in Spanish)

International career Sánchez was a leading player for Bolivia, being crucial to the nation's qualification for the 1994 FIFA World Cup. The team exited the competition in the group stage, and he scored their only goal in a 3–1 loss against Spain;World Cup '94; Bolivia scores, but will still go home; The New York Times, 28 June 1994 this was also the country's first and only goal in three appearances in World Cup tournaments.

Sánchez appeared in a total of 57 matches over 16 years, netting 15 times.Erwin Sánchez – Goals in International Matches; at RSSSFBolivia – Record International Players; at RSSSF He was part of their 1997 Copa América squad,Copa América 1997; at RSSSF playing all the matches save one for the runner-up hosts and scoring three goals, including in the final with Brazil.Brasil supera Bolívia na final da Copa América de 1997; relembre (Brasil best Bolivia in 1997 Copa América final; relive it); Vavel, 6 October 2016 (in Spanish)

In 2006, Sánchez was named national team manager,Erwin Sánchez es el nuevo técnico de la Selección (Erwin Sánchez is the new national team manager); Bolivia.com, 14 October 2006 (in Spanish) being dismissed after the unsuccessful 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign.Villegas es el elegido para la selección (Villegas is the chosen for the national team); Eju!, 6 October 2010 (in Spanish)

International goals # Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition 1. 10 September 1989 Estadio Nacional, Lima, Peru 1–2 1–2 1990 World Cup qualification 2. 9 July 1991 Estadio Sausalito, Viña del Mar, Chile 2–1 2–1 1991 Copa América 3. 18 July 1993 Polideportivo Cachamay, Puerto Ordaz, Venezuela 1–1 1–7 1994 World Cup qualification 4. 1–5 5. 1–7 6. 8 August 1993 Estadio Hernando Siles, La Paz, Bolivia 1–0 3–1 7. 22 August 1993 Estadio Hernando Siles, La Paz, Bolivia 3–0 7–0 8. 4 May 1994 Stade Pierre de Coubertin, Cannes, France 1–0 1–0 Friendly 9. 27 June 1994 Soldier Field, Chicago, United States 1–2 1–3 1994 FIFA World Cup 10. 25 October 1995 Estadio Ramón Tahuichi Aguilera, Santa Cruz, Bolivia 2–0 2–2 Friendly 11. 21 June 1997 Estadio Hernando Siles, La Paz, Bolivia 2–0 2–1 1997 Copa América 12. 25 June 1997 Estadio Hernando Siles, La Paz, Bolivia 1–1 3–1 13. 29 June 1997 Estadio Hernando Siles, La Paz, Bolivia 1–1 1–3 1997 Copa América Final 14. 5 July 1999 Monumental Río Parapití, Pedro Juan Caballero, Paraguay 1–0 1–1 1999 Copa América 15. 26 April 2000 Estadio Hernando Siles, La Paz, Bolivia 1–0 1–1 2002 World Cup qualification

Personal life Sánchez's son, also called Erwin, was also a Bolivian international midfielder.La generación mundialista del 94 tiene a sus herederos (The 94 World Cup generation has its heirs); Página Siete, 5 April 2015 (in Spanish)

Honours Player Benfica Primeira Liga: 1990–91

Boavista Primeira Liga: 2000–01 Taça de Portugal: 1996–97

Oriente Petrolero Copa Aerosur: 2005

Manager Blooming Copa Cine Center: 2015Erwin Sánchez, el desafío de triunfar como técnico donde lo hizo como jugador (Erwin Sánchez, the challenge of making it as a coach where he did so as player); La Vanguardia, 2 December 2015 (in Spanish)

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