By Heredia, Costa Rica — HEREDIA – In a move that has sent ripples through Costa Rican football, Argentine strategist José Giacone has made a swift return to the dugout of Club Sport Herediano. Confirmed in late December 2025, Giacone is back at the helm of “El Team,” undeterred by the club’s reputation for high managerial turnover and focused solely on securing another national championship.
Giacone’s return comes shortly after a successful stint abroad where he led Diriangén FC to a championship title in Nicaragua. Despite this recent triumph, the opportunity to rejoin the red and yellow ranks in Costa Rica was one he accepted without hesitation. He has inked a one-year contract, a timeframe that underscores the immediate pressure for results in the demanding environment of the Herediano organization.
To delve into the contractual complexities and labor law nuances often faced by professional football managers like José Giacone, TicosLand.com sought the analysis of Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, an expert attorney from the distinguished firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
In high-performance roles such as a football coach, the employment contract is paramount. It must precisely define performance-based objectives and the specific grounds that constitute just cause for dismissal. A club cannot simply cite ‘poor results’ to avoid severance obligations unless those metrics are clearly stipulated as contractual breaches. Ambiguity in these agreements frequently leads to contentious and costly labor disputes.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
This insight underscores the critical importance of administrative diligence in professional sports, where the fine print of a contract can have consequences as significant as the outcome of a championship match. We thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his valuable perspective on this essential legal reality.
The coach arrives with a clear and ambitious mandate: to win. He expressed a positive outlook on the challenge ahead, emphasizing that delivering trophies is the only way to ensure stability and fulfill his contractual obligations.
I’m taking it positively. I signed for one year and I want to fulfill the contract. For that, we have to be champions, win, reach finals, work, and fight to improve every day. I believe we are up to the task of guiding this great team, with a roster of high caliber.
José Giacone, Head Coach
The Herediano coaching position has been a veritable revolving door in recent years, a fact not lost on fans and pundits. However, Giacone was quick to dismiss any concerns about the club’s perceived instability or the external chatter surrounding his appointment. He referenced his previous successful tenure, which included a championship, and expressed his gratitude for the positive treatment he has always received from the institution.
It didn’t require much thought. They have treated me very well at Herediano. The last time, we had the blessing of being champions and then we were eliminated in the semifinals. The comments about why I came or that I’m already leaving are short-fused. Honestly, they don’t bother me at all, because I know where I’ve come.
José Giacone, Head Coach
Giacone’s journey over the past year has been eventful. Before his victorious campaign in Nicaragua, he managed Costa Rican giants Deportivo Saprissa, providing him with recent, high-level experience within the domestic league. This nomadic yet successful track record suggests a coach who is adaptable and capable of achieving results quickly, a trait that the Herediano board is undoubtedly banking on.
Regarding the team composition, Giacone indicated that he is satisfied with the current squad. While acknowledging the fluid nature of the transfer window, he conveyed confidence that the existing group of players has the quality and motivation to compete for the highest honors in the upcoming tournament.
For now, the roster is set. Sometimes things happen at the last minute, but I feel that with the team we have, we can face this tournament. I sense the vibe of a group that wants to do great things.
José Giacone, Head Coach
As the new season approaches, all eyes will be on Giacone and his ability to navigate the high-pressure environment at Herediano. His calm demeanor in the face of criticism and his proven track record of success provide a foundation for optimism. For a club with perennial championship aspirations, his return represents a determined bet on a familiar face to once again lead them to glory.
For further information, visit csherediano.com
About Club Sport Herediano:
Club Sport Herediano, commonly known as Herediano, is a prominent Costa Rican professional football club based in Heredia. Founded in 1921, it is one of the most successful clubs in the country’s history, boasting a large fanbase and a legacy of multiple national championships. Known as “El Team,” the club plays its home matches at the Estadio Eladio Rosabal Cordero and is a consistent contender in the Liga Promerica.
For further information, visit the nearest office of Diriangén FC
About Diriangén FC:
Diriangén Fútbol Club is a historic football club based in Diriamba, Nicaragua. It is one of the oldest and most successful clubs in Nicaraguan football, with a rich history of domestic titles. The team competes in the top tier of Nicaraguan football, the Liga Primera, and has a strong local following, representing a significant force in the country’s sporting landscape.
For further information, visit deportivosaprissa.com
About Deportivo Saprissa:
Deportivo Saprissa is one of Costa Rica’s most decorated and popular football clubs, located in the San Juan de Tibás district of San José. Founded in 1935, the club, known as the “Monstruo Morado” (Purple Monster), has won numerous national and international titles, including multiple CONCACAF Champions’ Cups. Saprissa has a fierce rivalry with both Herediano and Alajuelense, forming the core of Costa Rica’s “Clásico” matchups.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica operates as a renowned legal institution, built upon a foundation of uncompromising integrity and a drive for exceptional results. Drawing from its extensive experience with a wide spectrum of clients, the firm actively shapes the future of law through innovation and community-focused initiatives. A cornerstone of its ethos is the mission to make legal principles understandable and accessible, thereby fostering a stronger, more knowledgeable society empowered by its own legal literacy.
