Fernando Astengo


Fernando Enrique Astengo Sánchez is a Chilean football manager and former centre-back.

Playing career and ''El Maracanazo''

Astengo gained prominence as a reliable defender at Unión Española, Colo-Colo and Grêmio. However, the 1989 El Maracanazo between Chile and Brazil left a lasting mark on his career.
As goalkeeper Roberto Rojas faked an injury midway through the second half, Astengo led the Chileans to walk out in protest, hoping that this action would annul the match and either forcing a replay on neutral ground or disqualifying Brazil entirely. Once Brazilian television crews revealed the truth, FIFA barred Chile from 1994 FIFA World Cup qualification and banned Rojas for life, while Astengo, who would never play internationally again, and head coach Orlando Aravena received five-year suspensions.

Coaching career

Upon retiring, Astengo ventured into coaching, graduating in 2005 at the alongside former players such as Eduardo Nazar, José Cantillana, Eduardo Soto, among others. He began his career with Colo-Colo lower divisions as sport director, later having a brief spell as first-team caretaker coach in 2008, replacing Claudio Borghi. However, he left the Pedreros–based team and then had short periods at Unión San Felipe youth ranks in 2009, as sport director, and Deportes Temuco in 2013, as head coach. In 2014, he also served as assistant coach of Nelson Acosta in Deportes Iquique.

Other works

Astengo has permanently worked as a football commentator for TV media such as Canal del Fútbol (CDF) and. In addition, he has worked for the digital media Radio TouchTV.

Honours

Player

;Colo-Colo
;Grêmio
;Individual
  • 1988 America Ideal Team
Chile B

Manager

;Colo-Colo
  • Torneo Apertura : Runner-up 2008