Richard Páez

Club

Born in Mérida, Páez played club football for Estudiantes de Mérida, Portuguesa, Deportivo Táchira and Universidad de Los Andes.

International

He also played for the Venezuela national football team in the 1970s.

During his tenure, which lasted from January 2001 to November 2007, Venezuela achieved its best period in international football, improving from its status of being the worst team in South America. The squad reached the semi-final of the 2011 Copa America, and also had several victories in FIFA World Cup qualifying. In early 2008, he was signed as Alianza Lima's coach but was fired from his post a few months later. In November 2011, Páez became the first Venezuelan football manager to win a competition outside of Venezuela when his team Millonarios won the Copa Postobón. In May 2012, he left Millonarios after one and one-half seasons in charge. After coaching Mineros de Guayana in 2020, he remained inactive for six years until signing with Colombian club Cúcuta Deportivo on 5 February 2026. Páez left Cúcuta on a mutual agreement on 9 August 2026.

His son, Ricardo Páez, was a member of the national team.