In the Colombian Football Federation (FCF), much was said after the departure of Reinaldo Rueda, with a contract whose sole objective was to classify the national team to the Qatar 2022 World Cup, since the continuity of the Caleño was subject to this only possibility . Thus, as the eleventh tricolor did not achieve that purpose of attending the most prestigious national team tournament in the world, Rueda left the bench.
After his departure, the FCF was constantly silent in the decision of who would be the new strategist of the national team. So much so that the return of Reinaldo Rueda was speculated, as long as FIFA ruled against Ecuador in the case of Byron Castillo, which could leave Colombia close to the World Cup. However, during this uncertainty, the directors of the federation threw out names that seemed impossible because they were technical directors who did make their place in the World Cup event, or who entered the playoffs in dispute to qualify.
The ambition of the directors of the FCF was to have Gustavo Alfaro, but the arrival of the Argentine could be delayed due to the performance that Ecuador will have in the sports fair. For its part, the name that sounded the most within the environment of the Colombian National Team was that of Ricardo Gareca, with a panorama similar to that of Alfaro. Although it was not certain that Peru would beat Australia in the playoffs, the possibility seemed very close, and therefore, they had to wait until December to hire Gareca.
However, the day of the repechage arrived. Peru faced Australia in Qatar and in a 120-minute match for goalless equality, they went to the definition from the penalty spot. The Australians outscored the Peruvians with a score of 4-5 in that series. After this fall, Ricardo Gareca commented that his future will be decided once they arrive in Peru, but in his testimony, full of sadness, there was no tone that clarified his continuity with the Incas.
Weeks before, the directors of the FCF surprisingly dropped the official name of the new strategist of the national team. An old acquaintance in the era of José Néstor Pékerman, but as technical director in possession, he only came with an adventure that was in Melgar. With those from Arequipa, he leads the Peruvian tournament, and also entered the round of 16 of the Copa Sudamericana eliminating Racing de Avellaneda and now they will face Deportivo Cali.
For many, a Néstor Lorenzo bet that came as a surprise knocking on the doors, but the great name that was being considered, and that was even very close to materializing, was that of Ricardo Gareca, who would arrive once the World Cup was over, since it was expected that the Peruvians said present in Qatar. Lorenzo, a hasty decision that was presented as a solution after months of uncertainty.
The other side of the coin is if Peru had qualified for the World Cup. The arrival today of Ricardo Gareca would have been an option that could be realized quickly due to being eliminated, but if they attended, they would have to wait until December. Although it seems to be a bet by Néstor Lorenzo, the decision of the FCF comes at a good time, since the need is to test the territory of a new national team that is to come due to the change of generation that has to be presented in the next calls.
This question comes at the right time, after the elimination of Peru in the playoffs. It is about the letter that for many, was going to be the next technical director of the Colombian National Team. What do you think about Néstor Lorenzo’s decision, was it hasty or not? Comment here:
Did the Colombian National Team rush in bringing Nestor Lorenzo?
