Omar Zarif was born on February 9, 1978 in Avellaneda, Argentina. He made career as a football player (left winger) for several years, playing in teams like Nueva Chicago, Huracan, Rosario Central, Chacarita Juniors and Banfield, in which he was coached by Matias Almeyda. In 2015 he decided to retire and joined the coaching staff of the Argentinian manager, following him to Guadalajara and San Jose Earthquakes. From the summer of 2022 he is a member of AEK FC coaching staff.