Former Columbus Crew star Guillermo Barros Schelotto wins first title as a coach

Guillermo Barros Schelotto coaching Lanus

The man known as "Guille" is a champion once again.


Former Columbus Crew star and 2008 MLS MVP Guillermo Barros Schelotto won his first title as a coach on Wednesday night when he guided his Lanús team to their first-ever major continental crown, winning the Copa Sudamericana 3-1 on aggregate over Brazil's Ponte Preta after a 2-0 win in Buenos Aires and triggering an emotional on-field celebration.


Lanús struck twice on the break in the first half of a physical contest to take a decisive lead in the series after earning a 1-1 draw in the first leg in São Paulo.


Schelotto, highly decorated as a player both in Argentina for Boca Juniors and in MLS with the Crew, has been at the helm of Lanús since July 2012. In that time, he has guided the team to finishes of fourth and third in his first two campaigns in charge, qualified the team to the 2014 Copa Libertadores and has them in second place with a chance to claim the 2013 Torneo Inicial title heading into the final game of the season this Sunday.


A return to MLS may be on the cards for Schelotto, who was reported to be one of the top targets in FC Dallas' coaching search last week. However, with one title under his belt and the strong possibility of more in the future, it may have just gotten a little more difficult to pry him away from Argentina.