Rubén Israel

Libertad

In the Paraguayan championships, since the start of the Clausura 2007 tournament, Israel coached Club Libertad in 68 matches. His record was 48 wins, 16 draws, and four defeats. In the 2007 Clausura, Libertad broke a national record for a short tournament with a total of 55 points. In the Apertura 2008, Club Libertad surpassed the record with a total of 57 points. Also, under coach Israel, Libertad broke a third national record: the annual cumulative, adding up to a total of 101 points in 2008 (he added 95 in 2007). For the first tri-championship in its history, Club Libertad scored 53 goals, the top scoring team of Apertura 2008, and only allowed 13 goals, becoming the team with the best defence. Under Israel, Libertad qualified for the 2009 Copa Libertadores and 2009 Copa Sudamericana. The sixth Annual Premios Fox Sports named Rubén Israel as the best football coach and named Club Libertad of Paraguay the best football team.

Santa Fe

In May 2009 there was speculation that Israel would be the new coach of Atlético Nacional, and negotiations reached an advanced point. However, the emergence of several businessmen in the middle of it meant that Israel desisted from directing the club. Shortly after, Israel was confirmed as the new coach of Santa Fe. A month later, on 29 June, Israel resigned after receiving death threats if he did not include a player in the line-up. Israel and the player in question later wound up on the same team, Unión…

With Club Libertad, Israel earned Clausura 2007 titles, Absolute Tournament 2007, Apertura 2008, and Clausura 2008, thus achieving tri-championships with the club. Thanks to his performance as coach of Libertad, he was nominated for Best Technical Director at Fox Sports Awards 2008.