Juan Cruz Real

Juan Cruz Real (born 8 October 1976) is an Argentine football manager and former player who played as a midfielder.

Real had numerous stints in South American leagues, and finished off his career in the Canadian Professional Soccer League. He is currently manager of the Nicaragua national team.

Playing career Real began his career in his native country with Argentinian giants Independiente. In 1997, he signed with Deportivo Español, and the following season he went to Colombia to play for Millonarios F.C. In 1999, he returned to Argentina to sign with Arsenal de Sarandí. Soon after he featured in the lower Argentinian leagues with Independiente Rivadavia, and Almirante Brown de Arrecifes, winning the Torneo Argentino A in 1999. Cruz Real had a stint overseas in the island of Haiti with Roulado in 2002, and returning to the South American continent in 2003 with Unión San Felipe of Chile.

In 2004, he went once more overseas to Canada to sign with the Brampton Hitmen of the Canadian Professional Soccer League. He made his debut for the club on September 10, 2004, in a match against Toronto Supra. He helped Brampton secure a post-season berth by finishing fourth in the Western Conference. He featured in the wildcard playoff match against Toronto Croatia, but were eliminated by a score of 3–1.

The following year he signed with division rivals Hamilton Thunder. His achievements with Hamilton were clinching the division title, and qualifying for the post-season. He featured in the semifinal playoff match against Oakville Blue Devils, but lost by a score of 2–0. In 2009, he had a stint with North York Astros in the Canadian Soccer League.

Managerial career Cruz Real was named the manager for Deportes Tolima in 2023. In 2024, he returned to Argentina to be named the manager of Club Atlético Belgrano. After nine months with Belgrano, it was mutually decided to relieve him.

In December 2025, Real was appointed as manager of Universidad de Concepción in the Chilean Primera División. He left them in March 2026.

In April 2026 he was appointed as manager of the Nicaragua national team.