The number 21 jersey remains retired at Gimnasia y Esgrima de La Plata to honour Pedro Troglio, marking the first time in Argentine football history that a club withdrew a squad number for a player. This recognition followed his multifaceted career as a skilled midfielder and his subsequent transition into a career as a prominent football manager.
Early Career and Playing Years
Born on 28 July 1965 in Buenos Aires, Troglio established himself in the midfield during the 1980s. His professional journey began at River Plate, where he secured the 1985–86 Argentine Primera División title alongside the Copa Libertadores, Intercontinental Cup, and Copa Interamericana in 1986. His international profile grew during the 1990 FIFA World Cup, where he represented Argentina and scored against the USSR during the tournament. He spent six seasons in Italy, four of which were in Serie A with Hellas Verona, Lazio, and Ascoli, followed by two seasons in Serie B. Later, he played for Avispa Fukuoka in Japan, earning the Japan Football League title in 1995. His playing career concluded after stints with Gimnasia y Esgrima de La Plata and Villa Dálmine, where he played alongside José Basualdo, Roberto Monserrat, Mario Pobersnik, and Raúl Cardozo.
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Troglio began his coaching career at Godoy Cruz de Mendoza before moving to Gimnasia y Esgrima de La Plata in March 2005. His tenure stabilized the team, leading them to a second-place finish in the Apertura tournament. Despite this, results declined, and he resigned in April 2007 following a 7:0 loss to Estudiantes de La Plata. He later managed Independiente during the 2007–08 season but left after a difficult start. In 2009, he achieved domestic success by winning the campeonato Apertura with Cerro Porteño in Paraguay. He returned to Argentina to lead Argentinos Juniors in 2010, though he stepped down in September 2011 after a challenging start to the 2011–12 Apertura season.
Success with CD Olimpia
In 2019, Troglio moved to Honduras to manage CD Olimpia, a club that had not won a title since the 2015–16 Clausura. His arrival coincided with the 2019 Apertura win, which ended the team's drought. He secured several additional honors, including the 2020 Apertura, 2021 Clausura, 2021 Apertura, 2022 Apertura, and 2023 Clausura. Furthermore, he led the team to victory in the 2022 CONCACAF League. After a brief period managing San Lorenzo in Argentina, he returned to CD Olimpia on 2 June 2022 to continue his tenure.
Fast facts
- Born: 28 July 1965, Buenos Aires
- Citizenship: Argentina
- Playing position: Midfielder
- Notable club titles: 1986 Copa Libertadores
- Retired jersey: #21 at Gimnasia y Esgrima de La Plata
- Key management trophy: 2022 CONCACAF League
- Current club: Banfield
Questions readers ask
Did Pedro Troglio play in the World Cup?
Yes, he played for Argentina in the 1990 FIFA World Cup and scored a goal against the USSR.
Which teams has Troglio coached outside of Argentina?
He has coached Cerro Porteño in Paraguay and CD Olimpia in Honduras.
