Juan Esnáider

International career Esnáider represented Argentina on three occasions, his debut coming in 1995. Previously, he appeared with the under-20s at the 1991 FIFA World Youth Championship held in Portugal.

Coaching career Esnáider obtained his coaching degree in 2008 and, in April of the following year, became Getafe's assistant to former Real Madrid teammate Míchel, who was replacing Víctor Muñoz due to poor results. He occupied the position until December 2010.

On 8 April 2013, having spent one full season in the Segunda División B with Zaragoza's reserves, Esnáider was appointed at Córdoba until June after the sacking of Rafael Berges. He won only two of nine games during his spell, as the team ranked 14th in the second tier.

Esnáider returned to Getafe on 12 April 2016 but now as head coach, taking over from the dismissed Fran Escribá. His first match in the Spanish top flight – as a manager – took place four days later, in a 5–1 home loss to his former club Real Madrid.

On 26 November 2016, Esnáider became head coach of JEF United Chiba in the J2 League. In his first year, the side reached the playoffs but was eliminated by Nagoya Grampus in the semi-finals. In March 2019, he was sacked following poor results accumulated in the 2018 campaign and the first four games of the following one.

Esnáider remained in the Japanese second tier on 29 May 2023, on a deal at Renofa Yamaguchi. He stepped down on 13 November.

On 13 May 2024, Esnáider was appointed manager of PSBS Biak, recently promoted to the Super League (Indonesia). He was relieved of his duties on 10 September, after losing the first three fixtures.

Temperament During his first spell at Zaragoza and while at Atlético Madrid, Esnáider was considered by many as one of the most promising strikers in European football. However, this was often overshadowed by his misconduct and foul play in many matches:

After missing a penalty kick in Atlético's match against Ajax, in the 1996–97 edition of the UEFA Champions League, he made a ferocious two-footed tackle at Richard Witschge, but was lucky to receive only a yellow card. Minutes later, he was enraged when he was substituted by coach Radomir Antić, shouting out profanities; the next day, he was transferlisted by illusive chairman Jesús Gil.

In 2000–01's dying stages, as Zaragoza fought to retain their top-division status, Esnáider brutally assaulted a Celta de Vigo player with his elbow (with the consequent dismissal), allegedly after being told by the club he would be deemed surplus to requirements for the following season. The player denied, however, this as the main reason for the incident.

Personal life Esnáider was of Volga German and Spanish descent. His surname was a Spanish spelling of the German Schneider, meaning "tailor". A son also named Juan, was also a footballer and a forward, and he too represented Zaragoza; another son, Facundo was born during his spell in Porto, and also played the sport.

Career statistics International Scores and results list Argentina's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Esnáider goal.

Managerial statistics

+ Managerial record by team and tenureTeamFromToRecord Zaragoza B 1 July 2011 30 June 2012

Honours Real Madrid Copa del Rey: 1992–93

Zaragoza Copa del Rey: 1993–94, 2000–01

River Plate Argentine Primera División: 2002 Clausura