Berizzo managed in the top leagues of Argentina, Chile and Spain, leading O'Higgins to their first major honours and taking charge of three La Liga teams including Celta.

Born in Cruz Alta, Marcos Juárez, Córdoba, Berizzo was playing in a children's league when he and friend Dario Franco were scouted for Newell's Old Boys by manager Marcelo Bielsa.

[5] He was part of a trio within the team known as Los tres chiflados ("The Three Stooges"), taking the role of Moe alongside Julio Saldaña (Larry) and Alfredo Berti (Curly).

[6] In 1993, as Newell's sought to renew their team and transfers to Sporting de Gijón and Udinese Calcio in Europe did not materialise, Berizzo signed for Mexico's Club Atlas under Bielsa.

[3] At River, Berizzo played in central defence alongside Paraguayan Celso Ayala in a team that won three consecutive league tournaments and the 1997 Supercopa Libertadores.

[8] Known initially as "Totito", Berizzo inherited the nickname "Toto" from his father, who died in a car accident in March 2000 after watching him play for River against Club Universidad de Chile in the Libertadores.

[9] He was an important defensive unit for the Galicians, contributing 17 La Liga matches in his first year as they finished in sixth position; in a run to the final of the Copa del Rey, he scored in each leg of a 4–2 aggregate win over FC Barcelona in the semi-finals in June 2001, the second at the Camp Nou being Pep Guardiola's farewell for the hosts.

[10] In his second full season he registered career-bests (at Celta) 27 games with two goals, helping the side to reach the UEFA Champions League for the first time ever.

[13] Having played for the under-23 team that missed out in qualification for the 1992 Olympic tournament,[3] Berizzo made his debut for Argentina in the 1998 FIFA World Cup qualifying stage against Venezuela, on 9 October 1996.

On 10 October 2009, in a World Cup qualifier against Colombia (4–2 away victory), he was ejected alongside Fabián Orellana and eventually received a four-match ban, not being present on the bench for the entirety of the final stages in South Africa.

[16] On 7 February 2011, Berizzo was hired in his own right at Argentine defending champions Estudiantes de La Plata, after the resignation of Alejandro Sabella.

[20] He achieved runner-up honours in his debut season, losing the final against Club Universidad de Chile in a penalty shootout.