Juan Ramón Rocha

Born in Santo Tomé, Corrientes, Rocha began his professional career at Newell's Old Boys in 1972, he was part of their Metropolitano winning team in 1974. He moved to Boca Juniors in 1979 and played in 1979 Copa Libertadores finals. In December 1979, he was transferred to Greek soccer club Panathinaikos, where he played until his retirement on July 1, 1989. Nicknamed The Indian, Rocha was a skillful player, with vision and remarkable sportsmanship. He is considered by many one of the greatest players in the team's history. Rocha was first signed for Panathinaikos under the name Boublis with Greek papers; the subsequent discovery of record falsifications and ensuing scandal almost landed Rocha in jail and Panathinaikos in the second division. These allegations were later dismissed and both Panathinaikos and Rocha were acquitted. This was one of the many cases of "hellenization" of foreign players for many Greek soccer clubs.

After retirement he started coaching, first Paniliakos in where he was coach-player at the Fourth Division, then Iliasiakos, Kalamata and Skoda Xanthi. On March 12, 1994, Ivica Osim was removed from the technical leadership of Panathinaikos 6 games before the end of the 1993–94 season and Rocha was asked to replace him. After Rocha's arrival, Panathinaikos recorded 8 wins, winning all of their remaining games, including the cup final against AEK, which was marred by riots and conflict between fans, on penalties. In the first 3 games with Rocha, Panathinaikos scored wide wins against Iraklis (3–0), Larissa (5–0) and Doxa (8–0) earning the trust of Panathinaikos who decided to keep him in place. Rocha made significant changes to Osim's game plan, putting his own stamp on the reform. He made Juan José Borrelli, who was under question and possible transfer during Osim's reign, a vital member of the starting lineup as well as G.S. Georgiadis, G.H. Georgiades, Doni, Kapouranis to whom he gave different roles as was the case with the placement of Apostolakis as a defensive half. Before the start of the next season, Panathinaikos won the Super Cup in August 1994 by defeating AEK Athens 3–0. At the end of the 1994–95 season they also won a double. In the championship they finished first with a 16-point difference from 2nd place Olympiacos, scoring 83 goals while they won 5 games scoring 5 goals and 2 games scoring 6. To reach the final of the Greek Cup they had to beat Olympiacos 2–3…

Player

Newell's Old Boys Metropolitano: 1974 Panathinaikos Greek Cup: 1982, 1984, 1986, 1988, 1989 Alpha Ethniki: 1983–84, 1985–86

Manager

Panathinaikos Greek Cup: 1995 Alpha Ethniki: 1994–95, 1995–96 Greek Super Cup: 1994