Ruiz, 41, has stepped in to replace Spanish coach Ismael Rescalvo, who lost his job after a disappointing 6th place in the league after eight matches this season. Alajuelense, a 31-time Costa Rican champion, has struggled to find its footing this season. Voetbal International reports that Ruiz has taken charge of the team, marking his first stint as head coach at the top level.
Ruiz has a strong connection to the club, having played for LD Alajuelense throughout his career. He began and ended his playing career at the Costa Rican top club, before moving on to become a coach. After retiring from football in 2023, Ruiz started as a coach for the U-17 team, before becoming an assistant coach for the first team and eventually taking charge of the reserve team.
Ruiz's playing career was marked by stints at FC Twente and PSV. He played 97 matches for FC Twente, scoring 44 goals and providing 24 assists, while his time at PSV was shorter, with 14 appearances, 5 goals, and 3 assists. Voetbal International notes that this is Ruiz's first managerial role at the top level.
The Costa Rican club is currently in a tough spot, and Ruiz will look to turn their season around. His first task will be to lead the team to a win in their next match, which will be a crucial test of his managerial skills.