Leo Percovich

Galileo Galilei Percovich Lopes (born 20 April 1968), known professionally as Leo Percovich, is a Uruguayan former professional footballer, who is currently Head of Player Pathway and Development at Championship club Middlesbrough.

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Percovich and the second or maternal family name is Lopes.
Leo Percovich
Personal information
Full name Galileo Galilei Percovich Lopes
Date of birth (1968-04-20) 20 April 1968
Place of birth Montevideo, Uruguay
Height 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in)[1]
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Team information
Current team
 Middlesbrough
(head of player pathway & development)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1987–1993 Nacional
1994 Atlético Mineiro
1995 Guarani
1995–1999 Fluminense
2000 Alianza Lima
2001 Racing de Ferrol
International career
Uruguay 6 (0)
Managerial career
2022 Middlesbrough (interim)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Playing career

Percovich played for Nacional, notably winning the Copa Libertadores and Uruguayan First Division. He went on to play for Atlético Mineiro, Guaraní FC, Fluminense FC and Alianza Lima. He appeared six times for the Uruguay national team.

Coaching career

Percovich has had previous coaching stints and training with Stuttgart, Pachuca, Cruzeiro, Valencia and Real Madrid, alongside spells serving with the national teams of Brazil, France and Uruguay.

He joined the Colorado Rapids coaching staff in 2006, as their new goalkeeper coach, serving for two seasons before joining Chivas USA prior to the commence of the 2008 season. He moved to Toronto in December 2009, as an assistant coach following the departure of Preki during the off-season.[2] In January 2011, Percovich continued coaching in the United States, joining Chicago Fire as assistant coach. In November 2013, it was announced he would not be returning for the 2014 season.[3]

In November 2013, Percovich was appointed as a member of Aitor Karanka's coaching staff at Championship club Middlesbrough, being appointed as their new goalkeeping coach.[4] He was part of the club staff that secured promotion to the Premier League at the end of the 2015–16 season.[5] Percovich continued on as goalkeeping coach for the entirety of the 2016–17 season, despite Karanka's dismissal in March.[6] Following the appointment of Garry Monk in June 2017, Percovich vacated his position, being replaced by Darryl Flahavan.[7]

After a brief spell coaching at Fluminense,[8] Percovich returned to Middlesbrough in June 2019,[9] after being appointed as a first team assistant coach to new manager and former associate Jonathan Woodgate.[10]

After Chris Wilder was sacked by Middlesbrough on 3 October 2022, Percovich was named caretaker manager. Middlesbrough won his first game in charge, a 1-0 home victory, over Birmingham City. On 24 October 2022, following the appointment of Michael Carrick, Percovich assumed the role of Head of Player Pathway and Development.[11]

Personal life

Percovich was born in Montevideo to a family of Croatian descent and was named after the Italian astronomer Galileo Galilei. In December 2017, Percovich and his family were seriously injured after the vehicle he was driving in plummeted off a bridge. He personally suffered from "slight injuries", his youngest daughter Antonella was killed, whereas his other two children, son Pietro and daughter Valentina, were seriously injured and left in critical condition. His wife Juliana suffered from a fractured pelvis. His older daughter Valentina died a week later.

Managerial statistics
As of match played 22 October 2022
Managerial record by team and tenure
Team From To Record
G W D L Win %
Middlesbrough (interim) 3 October 2022 24 October 2022 5 2 1 2 040.00

Honours

Nacional

Middlesbrough

References
  1. Leo Percovich at WorldFootball.net
  2. "Percovich Joins TFC, Winsper Departs" (press release). Major League Soccer. 14 December 2009. Retrieved 14 December 2009.
  3. "Chicago Fire Announce Assistant Coaching Changes". chicago-fire.com. 4 November 2013.
  4. "Aitor Karanka: Middlesbrough name ex-Real Madrid man as boss". BBC Sport. 13 November 2013. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
  5. "Middlesbrough strike it rich with Premier League promotion". The Express Tribune. 7 May 2016. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
  6. "Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson says tired Aitor Karanka 'sacrificed himself'". Sky Sports. 17 March 2017. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
  7. "Middlesbrough FC's New First Team Staff To Join Up With Boro Boss Garry Monk". Retrieved 1 July 2019.
  8. "Leo Percovich shares poignant photos with son following cup win - just months on from crash tragedy". TeessideLive. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
  9. "Get To Know The New Coaches At Boro". Middlesbrough Football Club. 14 June 2019. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
  10. "Jonathan Woodgate: Middlesbrough confirm ex-England defender as head coach". BBC Sport. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
  11. "Michael Carrick Appointed Boro Head Coach". www.mfc.co.uk. 24 October 2022. Retrieved 24 October 2022.
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