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Luis Fernando Montoya Soto (born 23 July 1961) is a Colombian former football manager.

Career
Montoya’s soccer career began as technical coach in the little town of Caldas, where he stood out as a great strategist. He then began his physical preparation studies at the Jaime Izasa Cadavid Polytechnic School in the city of Medellín. Montoya kept this a secret from his father because he did not approve of his passion in sports.

After much time, he was able to work within different leagues in the province of Antioquia, Colombia. While there, he was able to coach the minor Colombian soccer divisions. He made an excellent career in the minor divisions of Atlético Nacional gaining champion titles in different categories which gained the Head Coach’s attention and promoted him to coach the professional team. He went on to lead Atlético Nacional to the final round of the South American Cup, losing against San Lorenzo in 2002.

Later on, Montoya went to coach Once Caldas and brought them to win the Colombian league for the second time in their history. Then in 2004, they won the Copa Libertadores de América. It is because of all these achievements that made Montoya the South American Coach of the Year.

Currently, he writes for important Colombian newspapers such as El Tiempo and La Patria. On top of that, he teaches sport journalism in several Colombian Universities.

Personal Life
He was born in the town of Caldas, Colombia. He married Adrianna Herrera in 1998 and had a child in 2001 named Jose Fernando Montoya who has been a symbol of Montoya’s life spirt.

In December 2004, Montoya was left paralyzed from the neck down after he got shot in the spine during an attempted robbery in Caldas, near Medellín. Since then he has been undergoing experimental stem cell treatment to help him get better.

As a practicing Catholic who is full of determination, he has become an example of hope to Colombians and has gained the title, "The Champion of Life".

Presently, he lives in Caldas with his wife and son.