La Bomba

Costa Rica have just fired their coach Rodrigo “La Bomba” Kenton Johnson.

Costa Rica were themselves bombing, failing to score in their last three World Cup qualifying games. “He was fired today. It still hasn’t been determined who will be named,” said Costa Rica FA, spokeswoman Gina Escobar.


It seems like a rash move, however. This was a side well past it’s sell-by-date before La Bomba took charge. His coaching gave Costa Rica an early and unexpected edge in World Cup qualification.

La Bomba would have had a chance to steady the ship at home to Trinidad and Tobago in Costa Rica’s penultimate fixture. At the very least a win would have ensured Costa Rica a playoff position against one of the Conmebol representatives. Other October results could even conspire to place Costa Rica back in the top 3 CONCACAF automatic qualifiers. Given the strength of Honduras and the USA and the graduation of the Mexico’s golden generation, La Bomba should be commended for bringing Costa Rica this close to qualification.

One suspects La Bomba would still be in a job if Sven’s soirees were still regular fixtures on the DF social calender.

Mexico fired a bad manager at the right time. The Costa Rican FA have panicked. Disposing of La Bomba now is a gambit that looks likely to blow up in the faces.