Group C appears to be an intriguing collection of nations and we take a look at the men in charge of the four teams contesting it.
Japan
Manager: Alberto Zaccheroni
Age: 61
Zaccheroni’s playing career was cut short due to injury and he switched to management aged just 30. After years spent coaching in Serie A with the likes of AC Milan and Internazionale, Zaccheroni accepted the position of Japan manager in 2010, leading them to victory at the 2011 Asian Cup.
Previous jobs: Cesenatico (1983-85), Riccione (1985-87), Boca San Lazzaro (1987-88), Baracca Lugo (1988-90), Venezia (1990-93), Bologna (1993-94), Cosenza (1994-95), Udinese (1995-98), Milan (1998-01), Lazio (2001-02), Internazionale (2003-04), Torino (2006-07), Juventus (2010).
Killer fact: Zaccheroni admits he was swayed into taking the Japan job after being intrigued by the country’s culture and history.
Santos is Portuguese, but in charge of Greece
Greece
Manager: Fernando Santos
Age: 59
The Portuguese manager ended his playing career aged just 21. Santos has only ever coached Greek and Portuguese clubs, but successfully enough to be elected as the best coach of the decade (2000-2010) by the Greek Football League. He was named manager of Greece in 2010, replacing Otto Rehhagel.
Previous jobs: Estoril (1987-94), Estrela da Amadora (1994-98), Porto (1998-01), AEK Athens (2001-02 & 2004-06), Panathinaikos (2002-03), Sporting CP (2003-04), Benfica (2006-07), PAOK (2007-2010).
Killer fact: Santos is a trained electrical and telecommunication engineer.
Ivory Coast are led by Frenchman Lamouchi
Ivory Coast
Manager: Sabri Lamouchi
Age: 42
Placed in charge of Ivory Coast in 2012, the managerial job is Lamouchi’s first. Prior to becoming a coach, the Frenchman enjoyed an impressive playing career. He represented Internazionale, Parma and Marseille, while also being capped 12 times by his country.
Previous jobs: None.
Killer fact: Although Lamouchi is of Tunisian descent he has never visited the north African country.
Argentine-born Pekerman is now a citizen of Colombia
Colombia
Manager: Jose Pekerman
Age: 64
Pekerman is a master of youth coaching and guided Argentina to three consecutive FIFA U20 World Cup triumphs in 1995, 1997 and 2001 before taking on the role of senior boss of his home nation, when he was in charge for the 2006 World Cup in Germany. He was appointed Colombia manager in 2012 and has been South American Coach of the Year for the past two years.
Previous jobs: Argentina U20 (1994-01), Argentina (2004-06), Toluca (2007-08), Tigres (2009).
Killer fact: Having qualified with Colombia for the World Cup, Argentine Pekerman expressed his desire to be nationalized as a Colombian. He was granted the Colombian citizenship the following day by president Juan Manuel Santos.
