Paulo Wanchope

Pablo César Wanchope Watson (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈpaulo ɣanˈtʃope]; born 31 July 1976), more commonly known as
Paulo Wanchope, is a Costa Rican former professional footballer. As of February 2009, Wanchope is the second most
prolific goalscorer in the history of the national football team, behind Rolando Fonseca, with 45 goals in 73 international
matches.

Career statistics

Career statistics
Club performance League Cup League Cup Continental Total
Season Club League Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
England League FA Cup League Cup Europe Total
1996-97 5 1
1997-98 Derby County Premier League 32 13
1998-99 35 9
West Ham
1999-00 Premier League 35 12
United
2000-01 Premier League 27 9
2001-02 First Division 15 12
Manchester City
2002-03 0 0
Premier League
2003-04 22 6
Copa de la
Spain League Copa del Rey Europe Total
Liga
2004-05 Málaga La Liga 25 6
Qatar League Emir of Qatar Cup League Cup Asia Total
2005-06 Al-Gharafa Qatari League 6 1
North
Costa Rica League Cup League Cup Total
America
2005-06 Herediano Primera División 10 3
South
Argentina League Cup League Cup Total
America
2006-07 Rosario Central Primera División 14 5
Japan League Emperor's Cup J. League Cup Asia Total
J. League
2007 FC Tokyo 12 2 - 4 1 - 16 3
Division 1
Lamar Hunt U.S. Open North
USA League League Cup Total
Cup America
Major League
2007 Chicago Fire 12 2
Soccer
Total England 171 62
Spain 25 6
Qatar 6 1
Costa Rica 10 3
Argentina 14 5
 Japan 12 2 - 4 1 - 16 3
USA 12 2
Career total 250 81

Retirement

On Friday 16 November 2007, after a 13 year career in football, Wanchope decided to put an end to his career,
primarily based on how his old knee injury was affecting his performance on the field, the same injury that
made him lose large parts of his career with Manchester City, making him unable to reach his best physical
shape, an argument that was commonly criticized by the press during recent years in every club he played for.
At his retirement press conference he manifested his interest in becoming a professional coach, looking forward
to accomplish it in England.

International career

Wanchope was hugely important to the Costa Rican national team, playing for the team in the 2002 FIFA
World Cup and several Gold Cups. On 8 October 2005, Wanchope became the all-time leading goal scorer for
Los Ticos when he scored the first goal in a home win over the USA in the qualifying match that sent Los Ticos
to the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

On 9 June 2006, he scored twice in the opening game of the 2006 World Cup, a 4-2 loss to Germany. These two
goals made Wanchope the first Costa Rican to score twice in one World Cup match, and put him alongside
Rónald Gómez as the only Costa Ricans ever to score more than one World Cup goal.[9] After the defeat to
Germany, Costa Rica were defeated by both Ecuador and Poland. Thus Costa Rica finished last in their group
and failed to qualify for the second round. Wanchope played his last game for his country in January 2008 when
Sweden had come to visit Costa Rica. He played 25 minutes and then he was substituted.

Paulo Wanchope is now a manager in his native Costa Rica. He managed Club Sport Herediano from 2008 to
2009. He resigned citing that the team's performance was low, and that he wanted to further his studies in
England[10]. Having left the club, he expressed his dissatisfaction with the administration of the club[