Jorge Luis Pinto resigns as Costa Rica coach

Costa Rica World Cup coach Jorge Luis Pinto has resigned from his post.

The Colombian, who guided the national team to the World Cup quarter-finals this summer, cited a difference of opinion with the Central American country's Football Association as the reason for his departure.

"I realised I would not be able to count on conditions to carry out my work," Pinto said in a statement. "So it wasn't possible to reach an agreement to renew my contract."

Pinto took charge of Costa Rica for a second spell in 2011, having held no fewer than 13 previous managerial positions prior to his appointment.

The 61-year-old guided his team through the World Cup's so-called 'group of death', featuring England, Uruguay and Italy, before defeating Greece on penalties in the last 16 and bowing out courageously in a shootout with the Netherlands in the quarter-finals.