{{short description|Argentine footballer}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2024}} {{family name hatnote|Real|lang=Spanish}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Juan Cruz Real | image = Juan Cruz Real 2021.png | caption = Real in 2021 | full_name = | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1976|10|8|df=y}} | birth_place = [[Tandil]], Argentina | height = | position = [[Midfielder]] | currentclub = [[Nicaragua national football team|Nicaragua]] (manager) | youthyears1 = | youthclubs1 = | years1 = 1995–1996 | clubs1 = [[Club Atlético Independiente|Independiente]] | caps1 = 8 | goals1 = 0 | years2 = 1997 | clubs2 = [[Deportivo Español]] | caps2 = 11 | goals2 = 0 | years3 = 1998 | clubs3 = [[Millonarios F.C.|Millonarios]] | caps3 = 10 | goals3 = 1 | years4 = 1999 | clubs4 = [[Arsenal de Sarandí]] | caps4 = 28 | goals4 = 3 | years5 = 1999 | clubs5 = [[Independiente Rivadavia]] | caps5 = 22 | goals5 = 1 | years6 = 2000 | clubs6 = [[Almirante Brown de Arrecifes|Brown de Arrecifes]] | caps6 = 18 | goals6 = 5 | years7 = 2002 | clubs7 = [[Roulado FC|Roulado]] | caps7 = 17 | goals7 = 7 | years8 = 2003–2004 | clubs8 = [[Unión San Felipe]] | caps8 = 23 | goals8 = 6 | years9 = 2004 | clubs9 = [[Brampton Hitmen]] | caps9 = 10 | goals9 = 1 | years10 = 2005 | clubs10 = [[Hamilton Thunder]] | caps10 = | goals10 = | years11 = 2006–2009 | clubs11 = [[North York Astros]] | caps11 = 19 | goals11 = 0 | totalcaps = | totalgoals = | manageryears1 = 2007–2012 | managerclubs1 = Clarkson Sheridan SC (technical Director) | manageryears2 = 2012–2014 | managerclubs2 = Mississauga SC (technical Director) | manageryears3 = 2014–2015 | managerclubs3 = [[IMG Academy]] (U19) | manageryears4 = 2015–2016 | managerclubs4 = [[IMG Academy]] (U18) | manageryears5 = 2015 | managerclubs5 = [[Belén F.C.|Belén]] | manageryears6 = 2016 | managerclubs6 = [[Club Olimpo|Olimpo]] (assistant) | manageryears7 = 2016–2017 | managerclubs7 = [[Estudiantes de Mérida]] | manageryears8 = 2017–2018 | managerclubs8 = [[Alianza Petrolera]] | manageryears9 = 2019–2020 | managerclubs9 = [[Jaguares de Córdoba|Jaguares]] | manageryears10 = 2020–2021 | managerclubs10 = [[América de Cali]] | manageryears11 = 2022 | managerclubs11 = [[Atlético Junior|Junior]] | manageryears12 = 2023 | managerclubs12 = [[Deportes Tolima]] | manageryears13 = 2024 | managerclubs13 = [[Club Atlético Belgrano|Belgrano]] | manageryears14 = 2026 | managerclubs14 = [[C.D. Universidad de Concepción|Universidad de Concepción]] | manageryears15 = 2026– | managerclubs15 = [[Nicaragua national football team|Nicaragua]] }}
'''Juan Cruz Real''' (born 8 October 1976) is an Argentine [[association football|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 (1998-2005)|Canadian Professional Soccer League]]. He is currently manager of the [[Nicaragua national football team|Nicaragua national team]].
== Playing career == Real began his career in his native country with Argentinian giants [[Club Atlético Independiente|Independiente]].{{citation needed|date=March 2025}} 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 FC|Roulado]] in 2002, and returning to the South American continent in 2003 with [[Unión San Felipe]] of Chile.<ref>{{cite web |title=San Felipe 2003 - Campeonato de Apertura |url=http://www.solofutbol.cl/futbol%20chileno/Campeonatos%20Nacionales/equipos/San%20Felipe/san%20felipe%202003%20apertura.htm |website=www.solofutbol.cl |access-date=28 April 2024 |language=es}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=San Felipe 2003 - Campeonato de Clausura |url=http://www.solofutbol.cl/futbol%20chileno/Campeonatos%20Nacionales/equipos/San%20Felipe/san%20felipe%202003%20clausura.htm |website=www.solofutbol.cl |access-date=28 April 2024 |language=es}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=San Felipe 2004 - Campeonato de Apertura |url=http://www.solofutbol.cl/futbol%20chileno/Campeonatos%20Nacionales/equipos/San%20Felipe/san%20felipe%202004%20apertura.htm |website=www.solofutbol.cl |access-date=28 April 2024 |language=es}}</ref>
In 2004, he went once more overseas to Canada to sign with the [[Brampton Hitmen]] of the [[Canadian Professional Soccer League (1998-2005)|Canadian Professional Soccer League]]. He made his debut for the club on September 10, 2004, in a match against [[SC Toronto|Toronto Supra]].<ref>{{Cite web|title = September 10, 2004 CPSL Toronto Supra vs Brampton Hitmen (by Rocket Robin)|url = http://www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com/reports04/04cpsl95.htm|website = www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com|accessdate = 2015-07-19|last = Glover|first = Robin}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web|title = October 8, 2004 CPSL Rogers Cup Wildcard game Brampton Hitmen vs Toronto Croatia (by Rocket Robin)|url = http://www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com/reports04/04cpsl2c.htm|website = www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com|accessdate = 2015-07-19|last = Glover|first = Robin}}</ref>
The following year he signed with division rivals [[Hamilton Thunder]].<ref>{{Cite web|title = July 10, 2005 CPSL North York Astros vs Hamilton Thunder (by Rocket Robin)|url = http://www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com/reports05/05cpsl42.htm|website = www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com|accessdate = 2015-07-19|last = Glover|first = Robin}}</ref> His achievements with Hamilton were clinching the division title, and qualifying for the post-season. He featured in the semifinal playoff match against [[Brampton United|Oakville Blue Devils]], but lost by a score of 2–0.<ref>{{Cite web|title = October 8, 2005 CPSL Hamilton Thunder vs Oakville Blue Devils (by Rocket Robin)|url = http://www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com/reports05/05cpsl2f.htm|website = www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com|accessdate = 2015-07-19|last = Glover|first = Robin}}</ref> In 2009, he had a stint with [[North York Astros]] in the [[Canadian Soccer League]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.canadiansoccerleague.ca/page.php?page_id=9302 |title=Canadian Soccer League Powered by Goalline Sports Administration Software |date=2009-05-06 |access-date=2016-12-15 |url-status=bot: unknown |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090506003606/http://www.canadiansoccerleague.ca/page.php?page_id=9302 |archivedate=2009-05-06 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.italiashooters.ca/player_roster.php?team_id=49957&schedule_id=15875&league_id=4346|title=Italia Shooters Soccer Club Powered by Goalline Sports Administration Software|date=2009-05-05|access-date=2017-11-24|url-status=bot: unknown|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090505055920/http://www.italiashooters.ca/player_roster.php?team_id=49957&schedule_id=15875&league_id=4346|archivedate=2009-05-05}}</ref>
== Managerial career == Cruz Real was named the manager for [[Deportes Tolima]] in 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 April 2023 |title=Juan Cruz Real, nuevo entrenador del Deportes Tolima |trans-title=Juan Cruz Real, new coach of Deportes Tolima |url=https://colombia.as.com/futbol/juan-cruz-real-nuevo-entrenador-del-deportes-tolima-n/ |access-date=30 April 2023 |website=Diario AS |language=es-co}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=29 April 2023 |title=¿Qué retos tendrá Juan Cruz Real en Tolima? A esto se enfrenta |trans-title=What challenges will Juan Cruz Real have in Tolima? This is what he's up against |url=https://www.futbolred.com/futbol-colombiano/liga-betplay/cuando-debuta-juan-cruz-real-con-deportes-tolima-estos-son-los-partidos-que-dirigira-180539 |access-date=30 April 2023 |website=futbolred.com |language=spanish}}</ref> In 2024, he returned to Argentina to be named the manager of [[Club Atlético Belgrano]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 March 2024 |title=Juan Cruz Real es el nuevo Director Técnico de Belgrano de Córdoba |trans-title=Juan Cruz Real is the new Technical Director of Belgrano de Córdoba |url=https://www.puntal.com.ar/club-atletico-belgrano/juan-cruz-real-es-el-nuevo-director-tecnico-belgrano-cordoba-n213943 |access-date=26 March 2024 |website=www.puntal.com.ar |language=es-AR}}</ref> After nine months with Belgrano, it was mutually decided to relieve him.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Villagra |first=Marcos |date=26 November 2024 |title=No va más: Juan Cruz Real dejó de ser el DT de Belgrano - TyC Sports |trans-title=No more: Juan Cruz Real is no longer Belgrano's coach |url=https://www.tycsports.com/liga-profesional-de-futbol/juan-cruz-real-se-fue-dt-belgrano-renuncia-luifa-artime-derrota-independiente-rivadavia-liga-profesional-entrenador-id621319.html |access-date=1 December 2024 |website=www.tycsports.com |language=es-AR}}</ref>
In December 2025, Real was appointed as manager of [[C.D. Universidad de Concepción|Universidad de Concepción]] in the [[Liga de Primera|Chilean Primera División]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Inostroza |first1=Paulo |title=UdeC presenta técnico y explica salidas de Campestrini y la “Nona” |url=https://www.diarioconcepcion.cl/deportes/2025/12/15/udec-presenta-tecnico-y-explica-salidas-de-campestrini-y-la-nona.html |website=Diario Concepción |access-date=18 December 2025 |language=es |date=15 December 2025}}</ref> He left them in March 2026.<ref>{{cite news |title=Terremoto en el Biobío: DT de la U de Conce renuncia tras empatar con la U de Chile |url=https://www.alairelibre.cl/futbol/campeonato-nacional/juan-cruz-real-renuncia-universidad-de-concepcion-dt-empate-u-de-chile/ |access-date=11 March 2026 |work=AlAireLibre.cl |publisher=[[Radio Cooperativa]] |date=10 March 2026 |language=es}}</ref>
In April 2026 he was appointed as manager of the [[Nicaragua national football team|Nicaragua national team]].<ref>{{cite web|title=El argentino Juan Cruz Real, el nuevo seleccionador de Nicaragua|url=https://es-us.noticias.yahoo.com/deportes/argentino-juan-cruz-real-seleccionador-203943909.html |date=24 April 2026|website=[[Yahoo]]}}</ref>
==References == {{Reflist}}
==External links== * {{BDFA|JUAN-CRUZ-REAL-7268}} * {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20150721211731/http://www.futbolxxi.com/Futbolista.aspx?ID=9267&SEOFutbolista=Real+Juan+Cruz Profile at Futbol XXI]}} Profile a {{in lang|es}} {{dead link|date=August 2017}} * {{LinkedIn page|in/juan-cruz-real-a0bb9035}}
{{Current managers of CONCACAF national teams}} {{Categoría Primera A winning managers}} {{Navboxes top|title=Managerial positions}} {{Estudiantes de Mérida F.C. managers}} {{Alianza Petrolera F.C. managers}} {{Jaguares de Córdoba managers}} {{América de Cali managers}} {{Atlético Junior managers}} {{Deportes Tolima managers}} {{Club Atlético Belgrano managers}} {{Universidad de Concepción managers}} {{Nicaragua national football team managers}} {{Navboxes bottom}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Real, Juan Cruz}} [[Category:1976 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Footballers from Tandil]] [[Category:Argentine men's footballers]] [[Category:Argentine expatriate men's footballers]] [[Category:Argentine Primera División players]] [[Category:Club Atlético Independiente footballers]] [[Category:Deportivo Español footballers]] [[Category:Primera Nacional players]] [[Category:Arsenal de Sarandí footballers]] [[Category:Independiente Rivadavia footballers]] [[Category:Almirante Brown de Arrecifes players]] [[Category:Categoría Primera A players]] [[Category:Millonarios F.C. players]] [[Category:Ligue Haïtienne players]] [[Category:Chilean Primera División players]] [[Category:Unión San Felipe footballers]] [[Category:Canadian Soccer League (1998–present) players]] [[Category:Brampton Stallions players]] [[Category:Hamilton Thunder players]] [[Category:North York Astros players]] [[Category:Argentine expatriate sportspeople in Colombia]] [[Category:Argentine expatriate sportspeople in Chile]] [[Category:Argentine expatriate sportspeople in Haiti]] [[Category:Argentine expatriate sportspeople in Canada]] [[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Colombia]] [[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Chile]] [[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Haiti]] [[Category:Expatriate men's soccer players in Canada]] [[Category:Men's association football midfielders]] [[Category:Argentine football coaches]] <!--as assistant/youth teams coach--> [[Category:Argentine football managers]] [[Category:Argentine expatriate football managers]] [[Category:Estudiantes de Mérida F.C. managers]] [[Category:Alianza Petrolera F.C. managers]] [[Category:Jaguares de Córdoba managers]] [[Category:América de Cali managers]] [[Category:Atlético Junior managers]] [[Category:Deportes Tolima managers]] [[Category:Club Atlético Belgrano managers]] [[Category:C.D. Universidad de Concepción managers]] [[Category:Venezuelan Primera División managers]] [[Category:Categoría Primera A managers]] [[Category:Argentine Primera División managers]] [[Category:Chilean Primera División managers]] [[Category:Nicaragua national football team managers]] [[Category:Argentine expatriate sportspeople in Costa Rica]] [[Category:Argentine expatriate sportspeople in Venezuela]] [[Category:Expatriate soccer coaches in Canada]] [[Category:Expatriate football managers in Costa Rica]] [[Category:Expatriate football managers in Venezuela]] [[Category:Expatriate football managers in Colombia]] [[Category:Expatriate football managers in Chile]]