Juan Pablo Vojvoda
Full nameJuan Pablo Vojvoda Rizzo
Birth date13 January 1975 (age 51)
Birth placeGeneral Baldissera, Argentina
Height1.85m
PositionCentre back
Youthclubs 1Cruz Alta
Youthyears 21989–1995
Youthclubs 2Newell's Old Boys
Years 11995–2003
Clubs 1Newell's Old Boys
Caps 1126
Goals 14
Years 22002–2003
Clubs 2→ Compostela (loan)
Caps 228
Goals 20
Years 32003–2005
Clubs 3Algeciras
Caps 355
Goals 30
Years 42005–2006
Clubs 4Cultural Leonesa
Caps 432
Goals 40
Years 52006–2009
Clubs 5Baza
Caps 5106
Goals 511
Years 62009–2010
Clubs 6Tiro Federal
Caps 634
Goals 60
Years 72010–2012
Clubs 7Sportivo Belgrano
Caps 780
Goals 71
Years 82012–2013
Clubs 8Sarmiento de Leones
Caps 824
Goals 81
Totalcaps485
Totalgoals17
Manageryears 12013–2017
Managerclubs 1Newell's Old Boys (youth)
Manageryears 22016
Managerclubs 2Newell's Old Boys (caretaker)
Manageryears 32017
Managerclubs 3Newell's Old Boys (caretaker)
Manageryears 42017–2018
Managerclubs 4Defensa y Justicia
Manageryears 52018–2019
Managerclubs 5Talleres
Manageryears 62019
Managerclubs 6Huracán
Manageryears 72020–2021
Managerclubs 7Unión La Calera
Manageryears 82021–2025
Managerclubs 8Fortaleza
Manageryears 92025–2026
Managerclubs 9Santos

Juan Pablo Vojvoda Rizzo (born 13 January 1975) is an Argentine football manager and former player who played as a central defender.

Playing career

Born in General Baldissera but raised in Cruz Alta, Vojvoda joined Newell's Old Boys' youth setup at the age of 14.[1] He made his senior debut with the main squad in 1995, and went on to feature regularly in the following seven seasons, never establishing himself as a regular starter.

In 2002 Vojvoda moved abroad, after signing for Segunda División side SD Compostela on loan for one year.[2] He stayed in the country for the following six seasons, representing Algeciras CF,[3] Cultural y Deportiva Leonesa[4] and CD Baza.[5]

Vojvoda returned to his home country on 15 July 2009, joining Tiro Federal of the Primera B Nacional.[6] He subsequently played for Sportivo Belgrano[7] and Sarmiento de Leones,[8] retiring with the latter in 2013 at the age of 38.

Managerial career

Newell's Old Boys

Shortly after retiring Vojvoda took up coaching, being in charge of the youth categories of his first club Newell's. On 10 July 2015, he was named manager of the club's reserve side.[9] He was also an interim manager of the first team for two occasions: in 2016[10] and in 2017.[11]

Defensa y Justicia

On 7 October 2017, Vojvoda was named manager of Defensa y Justicia.[12] He left the club on 28 May 2018, after receiving an offer from fellow league team Talleres de Córdoba.[13]

Talleres de Córdoba

Vojvoda was announced as manager of Talleres on 28 May 2018, just hours after leaving Defensa.[14] On 23 May 2019, he agreed to leave the club on a mutual agreement.[15]

Huracán

In May 2019, Vojvoda was appointed manager of Club Atlético Huracán for the 2019–20 season.[16] He was sacked on 15 September, after a 4–0 loss to River Plate and only one win in seven matches.[17]

Unión La Calera

Vojvoda took over Chilean Primera División side Unión La Calera on 30 December 2019.[18] He led the club to the second position of the 2020 Chilean Primera División, qualifying the club to the Copa Libertadores for the first time in their history.

On 18 February 2021, Vojvoda left La Calera on a mutual agreement.[19]

Fortaleza

On 4 May 2021, Vojvoda was appointed head coach of Campeonato Brasileiro Série A club Fortaleza.[20] He won the first title of his career late in the month, as the club defeated rivals Ceará to lift the 2021 Campeonato Cearense.[21]

Vojvoda led Fortaleza to their first ever qualification to the Copa Libertadores, after finishing in an impressive fourth position in the 2021 Série A.[22] He lifted a second consecutive title of the Cearense in 2022, and also won the year's Copa do Nordeste.[23][24]

Vojvoda led Fortaleza to a second consecutive Libertadores qualification after finishing eighth in the 2022 Série A, despite ending the first round of the tournament in the last position.[25] He renewed his contract with the club until 2024 on 18 November 2022,[26] and won the 2023 Campeonato Cearense, his fourth accolade while in charge of Leão.[27]

On 14 July 2025, Vojvoda was sacked from Fortaleza after a nine-winless match run.[28]

Santos

On 22 August 2025, Vojvoda was announced as head coach of fellow Brazilian top tier side Santos on a contract until December 2026.[29] He avoided relegation with the club, but was sacked on 19 March 2026, hours after a 2–1 home loss to Internacional which led him to a run of seven winless matches.[30]

Personal life

Born in Argentina, Vojvoda is of Croatian and Italian descent, and holds an Italian passport.[31][32]

Career statistics

ClubSeasonLeagueCupContinentalOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Newell's Old Boys1995–96Primera División80———80
1996–9780———80
1997–98200———200
1998–99241———241
1999–2000192———192
2000–01251———251
2001–02220———220
Subtotal1264———1264
Compostela (loan)2002–03[33]Segunda División28010——290
Algeciras2003–04[33]Segunda División21010——220
2004–05[33]Segunda División B34010——350
Subtotal55020——570
Cultural Leonesa2005–06[33]Segunda División B320———320
Baza2006–07[33]Segunda División B342———342
2007–08[33]350——2[a]0370
2008–09[34]Tercera División379———379
Subtotal10611——2010811
Tiro Federal2009–10Primera B Nacional340———340
Sportivo Belgrano2010–11Torneo Argentino A440———440
2011–1236120——381
Subtotal80120——821
Sarmiento de Leones2012–13Torneo Argentino B241———241
Career total4851750002049217

Managerial statistics

Managerial record by team and tenure
TeamNatFromToRecordRef.
GWDLGFGAGDWin %
Newell's Old Boys (caretaker)rowspan="5|16 February 201622 February 2016[35]
Newell's Old Boys (caretaker)4 June 201727 June 2017
Defensa y Justicia12 October 201730 June 2018[36]
Talleres1 July 201823 May 2019[37]
Huracán1 June 201915 September 2019[38]
Unión La Calera1 January 202018 February 2021[19]
Fortalezarowspan="2|5 May 202114 July 2025[39]
Santos22 August 202519 March 2026[40]
Total—

Honours

Manager

Fortaleza

References

  1. ^ "La historia de Juan Pablo Vojvoda: la pasión por la pelota y la graduación que espera en la Universidad" [The story of Juan Pablo Vojvoda: the passion for the ball and the graduation which awaits him at the university] (in Spanish). La Nación. 23 May 2018. Archived from the original on 24 May 2018. Retrieved 18 February 2019.
  2. ^ "Un argentino al Compostela" [An Argentine at Compostela] (in Spanish). El Día. 30 July 2002. Retrieved 20 February 2019.
  3. ^ "Algeciras será el destino real de Vojvoda, que deja el Compostela" [Algeciras will be the destiny of Vojvoda, who leaves Compostela] (in Spanish). Diario de León. 9 July 2003. Archived from the original on 19 February 2019. Retrieved 18 February 2019.
  4. ^ "Tomé, satisfecho con las llegadas de Vojvoda y Javicho a la Cultural" [Tomé, satisfied with the arrivals of Vojvoda and Javicho to Cultural] (in Spanish). ABC. 5 July 2005. Retrieved 18 February 2019.
  5. ^ "Vojvoda rescinde su vinculación con la Cultural y jugará en el Baza" [Vojvoda rescinds his link with Cultural and will play at Baza] (in Spanish). Diario de León. 21 July 2006. Archived from the original on 19 February 2019. Retrieved 18 February 2019.
  6. ^ "Vojvoda es casi un Tigre más" [Vojvoda is nearly another Tigre] (in Spanish). La Capital. 15 July 2009. Retrieved 18 February 2019.
  7. ^ "Vojvoda es de Sportivo" [Vojvoda is of Sportivo] (in Spanish). Diariosports. 16 June 2010. Archived from the original on 19 February 2019. Retrieved 18 February 2019.
  8. ^ "Refuerzo de lujo, Juan Pablo Vojvoda" [Luxury addition, Juan Pablo Vojvoda] (in Spanish). Ascenso del Interior. 28 July 2012. Retrieved 20 February 2019.
  9. ^ "Organigrama del Departamento de Fútbol" [Football Department's Organization Chart] (in Spanish). Newell's Old Boys. 10 July 2015. Archived from the original on 19 February 2019. Retrieved 18 February 2019.
  10. ^ "Juan Pablo Vojvoda, entrenador interino de Newell's" [Juan Pablo Vojvoda, interim manager of Newell's] (in Spanish). Télam. 16 February 2016. Retrieved 18 February 2019.
  11. ^ "Vojvoda asumirá el martes como interino en Newell's" [Vojvoda will take over on Tuesday as interim at Newell's] (in Spanish). Diario AS. 5 June 2017. Retrieved 18 February 2019.
  12. ^ "Defensa oficializó la llegada de Vojvoda, su nuevo DT" [Defensa made official the arrival of Vojvoda, their new manager] (in Spanish). TyC Sports. 7 October 2017. Retrieved 18 February 2019.
  13. ^ "Juan Pablo Vojvoda deja Defensa y Justicia e iría a Talleres de Córdoba" [Juan Pablo Vojvoda leaves Defensa y Justicia and would go to Talleres de Córdoba] (in Spanish). Nuevo Diario. 28 May 2018. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
  14. ^ "Vojvoda fue oficializado como nuevo DT de Talleres de Córdoba" [Vojvoda was officially appointed new manager of Talleres de Córdoba] (in Spanish). La Capital. 28 May 2018. Retrieved 18 February 2019.
  15. ^ "Juan Pablo Vojvoda dejó de ser el técnico de Talleres" [Juan Pablo Vojvoda left as manager of Talleres] (in Spanish). Clarín. 23 May 2019. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
  16. ^ Se presentó Juan Pablo Vojvoda en el Palacio, cahuracan.com, 3 June 2019
  17. ^ "Vojvoda se va de Huracán" [Vojvoda leaves Huracán] (in Spanish). TyC Sports. 15 September 2019. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
  18. ^ "Juan Pablo Vojvoda, otro DT argentino a Chile" [Juan Pablo Vojvoda, another Argentine manager to Chile] (in Spanish). Olé. 30 December 2019. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  19. ^ "Vojvoda no sigue en La Calera" [Vojvoda will not continue at La Calera] (in Spanish). Diario AS. 18 February 2021. Retrieved 19 February 2021.
  20. ^ "Juan Pablo Vojvoda é o novo técnico do Fortaleza" [Juan Pablo Vojvoda is the new manager of Fortaleza] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Fortaleza EC. 4 May 2021. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
  21. ^ "Título cearense com o Fortaleza foi o primeiro da carreira de Vojvoda" [Cearense trophy with Fortaleza was the first one of Vojvoda's career] (in Brazilian Portuguese). UOL Esporte. 24 May 2021. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
  22. ^ "Pablo Vojvoda exalta a classificação do Fortaleza para a Libertadores" [Pablo Vojvoda plays up Fortaleza's qualification to the Libertadores] (in Brazilian Portuguese). UOL Esporte. 4 December 2021. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
  23. ^ "Vojvoda conquista segundo título invicto com Fortaleza" [Vojvoda conquers second unbeaten title with Fortaleza] (in Brazilian Portuguese). ge. 3 April 2022. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
  24. ^ "Vojvoda conquista terceiro título invicto com Fortaleza" [Vojvoda conquers third unbeaten title with Fortaleza] (in Brazilian Portuguese). ge. 24 April 2022. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
  25. ^ "Da lanterna à Copa Libertadores: a história do Fortaleza de Vojvoda na Série A de 2022; veja marcas" [From the last position to the Copa Libertadores: the story of Vojvoda's Fortaleza in the 2022 Série A; see landmarks] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Diário do Nordeste. 13 November 2022. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
  26. ^ "Desejado no mercado, Juan Pablo Vojvoda renova com o Fortaleza até 2024" [Targeted in the transfer market, Juan Pablo Vojvoda renews with Fortaleza until 2024] (in Brazilian Portuguese). ESPN. 18 November 2022. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
  27. ^ "Vojvoda conquista 4º título com o Fortaleza" [Vojvoda conquers 4th title with Fortaleza] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Diário do Nordeste. 8 April 2023. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
  28. ^ "Vojvoda não é mais o técnico do Fortaleza" [Vojvoda is no longer the head coach of Fortaleza] (in Brazilian Portuguese). ge. 14 July 2025. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
  29. ^ "Juan Pablo Vojvoda é o novo técnico do Santos FC" [Juan Pablo Vojvoda is the new head coach of Santos FC] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Santos FC. 22 August 2025. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
  30. ^ "Nota oficial" [Official note] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Santos FC. 19 March 2026. Retrieved 19 March 2026.
  31. ^ "¿Cómo se pronuncia Vojvoda? La explicación del propio DT de Talleres". Mundo D
  32. ^ "El portero Tito fichó por el Compos al límite del plazo". La Voz de Galicia. September 2, 2002.
  33. ^
  34. ^
  35. ^ "Vojvoda será el DT de Newell's hasta el final del torneo" [Vojvoda will be the manager of Newell's until the end of the tournament] (in Spanish). La Capital. 5 June 2017. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  36. ^ "La carrera de Vojvoda" [The career of Vojvoda] (in Spanish). Última Jugada. 28 May 2018. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  37. ^ "Cuando dirigir no es todo: qué le fue pidiendo Fassi a cada uno de sus DT en Talleres" [When managing is not the only thing: what Fassi asked for each one of his managers at Talleres] (in Spanish). La Voz del Interior. 3 January 2022. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  38. ^ "Juan Pablo Vojvoda dejó de ser el entrenador de Huracán" [Juan Pablo Vojvoda left as manager of Huracán] (in Spanish). Infobae. 15 September 2019. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  39. ^ "Veja números e conquistas de Juan Pablo Vojvoda pelo Fortaleza" [Check out numbers and accolades of Juan Pablo Vojvoda for Fortaleza] (in Brazilian Portuguese). CNN Brasil. 14 July 2025. Retrieved 27 August 2025.
  40. ^ "Santos demite Vojvoda" [Santos sack Vojvoda] (in Brazilian Portuguese). ge. 19 March 2026. Retrieved 19 March 2026.
  1. ^ Appearance(s) in relegation play-offs