Alfredo Arias announces that he is leaving Santa Fe at the end of the league

Independiente Santa Fe will have to find a technical director for next year. Alfredo Arias, who arrived at the club in May, decided to take another course and in 2023 he will be in charge of Peñarol from Uruguay. After the different versions that had been given in the media and social networks, it was the Uruguayan himself who confirmed his departure at a press conference offered at the sports headquarters of the Colombian Football Federation.

“It is a decision made and discussed with the president of the club. I am going to lead a team where I was champion in Uruguay, it is a gift from heaven (…) My departure and the decision to go to Uruguay is non-negotiable. These are personal issues for which I want to be in Uruguay,” said Arias, who was accompanied by President Eduardo Méndez.

Santa Fe, leader of the home run A of the BetPlay II-2022 League, will have Arias until his presentation in the competition ends. The DT hopes that this personal decision does not affect his players to reach the final and be champions He added that Méndez “has done everything possible and impossible” so that he will stay in Bogotá and reject Peñarol’s offer.

“I told the players today. This should not affect us, now we have a dream. How many people would give everything to be where we are. This is not an excuse (…) We continue working for the dream that we all have”, explained the 63-year-old coach.

Finally, Arias reiterated that he leaves because of an emotional and family decision and not because of something economic. He regretted putting the president of the cardinal team in trouble since he always trusted his work. “I am going to return to Santa Fe in this life or in the other.”

Santa Fe plays next Sunday against Deportivo Pereira as a visitor. If they win and Millonarios tie or lose against Junior, Arias’ team will be the finalists of the league regardless of what happens in the Bogota classic on the last date.