Football's 'dirtiest' ever player received an incredible 45 red cards and was even sent off 21 minutes into his coaching career

He was dubbed the "world’s dirtiest footballer" after accumulating more red cards than any other player in history, but what happened to Gerardo 'The General' Bedoya after his playing days were over?

Bedoya earned a reputation for his no-nonsense, aggressive style of play. In fact, his own website described him as "one of the most aggressive players in the history of Colombian soccer as well as globally".

In total, he received 45 red cards across a 20-year playing career; which still stands as the world record for most red cards in football history.

"He was a decent footballer but that has not been enough to detract from the other part of his career," said Colombian football journalist Carl Worswick, who spoke to the BBC about Bedoya in 2020.

"The headlines always scream 'the world's dirtiest player',"

Worswick would describe the former defender as an "explosive personality" who couldn't control himself when he saw red, adding: "In the heat of the moment, he wasn't able to take a breather and get on with it. He always piled in."

Remarkably, the former Colombia international was sent off just 21 minutes into his first game as an assistant manager in 2016, after he was handed the role by Colombian side Independiente Santa Fe.

It was his first coaching role after retiring from playing. "When that happened the players on the bench were laughing, they couldn't believe it," Worswick recalls. "They knew it was going to happen. Certainly, his reputation hasn't helped him."

Arguably the most infamous red card of his career, however, came in 2012, when Bedoya received a 15-match suspension for violent conduct. He is said to have kicked an opponent in the face.

Beyond his disciplinary record and Bedoya enjoyed a relatively successful career. He played a key role in Colombia's only major footballing triumph at the 2001 Copa America, where his strike helped his nation overcome Honduras in the semi-finals.

The same year his 86th-minute strike for Argentina's Racing against title rivals River Plate earned a 1-1 draw to keep Racing top and ultimately secure the 2001 Apertura championship, the club’s first title in 35 years.

Bedoya was renowned for his aggressive nature on the pitch. Image credit: Getty

Since hanging up his boots, Bedoya has taken charge of his beloved Santa Fe on three separate occasions as a caretaker manager, with his last spell at the Colombian club being in 2023. when he replaced Harold Rivera for a short stint.

Bedoya’s only permanent gig was with Bogota-based Real Soacha Cundinamarca, where he took charge of 24 matches and claimed 1.21 points per game before his dismissal in August 2022.

As a manager, he is attempting to “rewrite his reputation" after years of misconduct on the pitch. "He always makes the point that he doesn't have any enemies now," said Worswick.