Rubén Hugo Ayala Sanabria (born 8 January 1950 in Santa Fe, Argentina) is a former Argentine football player and manager, who played as a forward.
Playing career
Born in Humboldt, Las Colonias Department, Santa Fe Province, Ayala played club football for Club Atlético San Lorenzo de Almagro in Argentina where he was part of the team that famously went unbeaten for the whole of the 1972 Nacional championship.
In 1973, he left for Atlético de Madrid in Spain where he won several titles. In 1979, he moved to Mexico to play for Club Jalisco and Atlante F.C.
During his playing career he earned 25 caps and scored 11 goals for the Argentina national football team, and played in the 1974 FIFA World Cup (scoring against Haiti).
He was nicknamed Ratón (Mouse) due to his short height.
Managerial career
After retiring as a player Ayala took up coaching in Mexico he has been manager of Cobras de Querétaro (1986–1987), Tampico-Madero (1987–1988), Cobras de Ciudad Juárez (1988–1989), Correcaminos (1992–1994) and C.F. Pachuca (2000–2005). During his time with Pachuca he guided them to two league titles the Invierno 2001 and the Apertura 2003 as an assistant coach.
Honours
San Lorenzo
Primera Division Argentina: 1972 Metropolitano, 1972 Nacional
Copa Argentina Final Canceled: 1970
Atlético de Madrid
European Cup Runner-up: 1973-74
Copa Intercontinental: 1974
Copa del Rey: 1975-76
La Liga: 1976-77
Atlante F.C. CONCACAF Champions Cup: 1983 Primera División Runner-up: 1981-82
Individual
Copa Argentina Top Scorer: 1970 (5 goals)