Paraguay coach Anibal Ruiz has won El Pais' South America Coach of the Year award.

The veteran guided Paraguay to a fourth-placed finish in World Cup qualifying meaning that they join South American rivals Brazil, Argentina and Ecuador in Germany this summer.

Ruiz said: "I am proud to receive this prize. I am very happy and I want to share it with my Paraguayan colleagues. I thank all my friends who have helped me get to this position."

Ruiz's side have been drawn with England, Sweden and Trinidad & Tobago in Group B.

Meanwhile, former Paraguay legend Jose Luis Chilavert has warned that Ruiz is relying on a squad that has a higher average age than most.

The former goalkeeper and free-kick expert commented: "Paraguay have little chance of doing well in Germany.

"I warned six months ago that we cannot play with players who are 35 years old.

"I do not have anything against them, but Jose Cardozo, Carlos Gamarra and Roberto Acuna are too old. We will play in Germany three players down.

"Most of the teams going have an average age of 24 years old."