What Happened to Pablo Ariel Paz Gallo?

Pablo Ariel Paz Gallo, born on January 27, 1973, in Bahía Blanca, Argentina, carved out a distinguished career as a central defender, primarily known for his robust presence in Spanish football and his contributions to the Argentine national team. His professional journey began in his homeland with Newell's Old Boys and Banfield before a significant move to CD Tenerife in 1996, where he enjoyed his most fruitful period, making 107 league appearances over six seasons and participating in the UEFA Cup.

Paz also represented Argentina on the international stage, earning 14 caps between 1996 and 1998. He was a key member of the squad that secured a silver medal at the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympics and later featured in the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France. After leaving Tenerife, he had stints with Independiente and Real Valladolid, and even an unsuccessful trial with Premier League club Everton in 2001. His playing career eventually wound down in Spain's lower leagues, culminating in his retirement in 2013 at the age of 40.

The transition from player to coach began almost immediately. Paz took his first managerial steps with amateur side San Andrés in 2013. By the summer of 2014, he returned to his former club, CD Tenerife, to take charge of their youth sides, a role he has maintained since. This move allowed him to impart his extensive experience to the next generation of footballers, particularly within a club where he had achieved significant success as a player.

In recent years, Pablo Paz has also gained renewed public attention through the burgeoning career of his son, Nico Paz. Nico, a highly-rated midfielder from Real Madrid's academy, made headlines for his performances with Como and his participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup for Argentina. Pablo Paz was notably present at the 2026 World Cup, expressing emotional pride as he watched his son make his starting debut for the national team. Furthermore, in June 2026, Pablo Paz, acting as his son's agent, confirmed Nico's decision to remain with Como for the 2026-2027 season, despite Real Madrid's buy-back option, citing it as the best step for his development, especially with Como qualifying for the Champions League. This demonstrates Pablo Paz's continued active involvement in the football world, both through his coaching duties and his guidance of his son's promising career. As of September 27, 2026, he remains a youth coach at Tenerife and a supportive figure in his son's professional journey.