The name of Gabriel Raimondi surprised in the signing market of the 2025-II League. América de Cali made a risky bet thinking about the road after the elimination in the home runs that just finished.
Raimondi, 48, will replace Jorge ‘Moth’ Da Silva, who left the team in the Repechaje of the South American Cup, where he will face the Bay of Brazil, and, for now, in the first place of reclassification, which could lose Si Deportivo Independiente Medellín wins the last game and the title.
Another risky bet of America: ‘Pedrito de Portugal’
It is not the first time that America bets on an unknown name to reach the professional team. In 2018, just replacing ‘moth’, the Portuguese arrived Pedro Felicio Santos.
Pedrito de Portugal, as La Tribuna began remembering a famous bullfighter, had no experience in a first team. He worked in minor divisions of his country, such as Benfica and Sporting, and the one who brought him to Colombia was Millionaires, by the hand of the also Portuguese Antonio Carraça, to handle the U-17 team.
Pedro Felicio Santos Photo:Juan Pablo Rueda. Time
The passage of Santos through America was poor: 17 games, with only four wins, 10 draws and 3 losses. He did not classify the final phases.
Juan Carlos Osorio arrived as an unknown and then was champion
There were essays that came out better, such as Juan Carlos Osorio. When he first arrived to direct Colombia, in 2006, for Millionaires, he came from being a physical trainer and assistant Manchester City, but never DT in property. He was in two semesters and was on the edge of the title.
Juan Carlos Osorio, when he reached Millionaires in 2006. Photo:Felipe Caicedo. Archive time
It was the beginning of a great career, which led him to be champion with Once Caldas and Atlético Nacional and then to a long trajectory abroad.
Efraín Juárez: Short, but substantial step
Nor did the Mexican had any professional experience Efraín Juárez, Who, surprisingly, was appointed Technician of Atlético Nacional in mid -2024, replacing the Uruguayan Pablo Repetto.
Efraín Juárez Photo:JAIVER NIETO / THE TIME
Juarez’s campaign was short, but very successful: he won two titles with green, the Colombia Cup and the League in the Mimso Semester. But just as he arrived in silence, he left very fast: he accused differences with the managers and left with the star in his pocket. Today he directs Pumas from Mexico.
Juan Manuel Lillo: Divided Opinions
A name that caught the attention at the time was that of Juan Manuel Lillo, Hired by Millionaires in January 2014 to replace Hernán Torres, who had given star 14 to the club.
Juan Manuel Lillo, Spanish technician, in his passage through Atlético Nacional. Photo:JAIVER NIETO – ARCHIVE THE TIME
Lillo did not bring a brilliant trajectory, but the fact that Josep Guardiola mentioned it as his mentor, after coinciding in Mexico, seemed a guarantee. In his first semester he reached the semifinal of the League and lost the option of being a finalist in release from the penalty point, against Junior. The second semester was lazy and ended up ceased.
However, the Spanish left a good image and after the departure of Reinaldo Rueda, he arrived in Atlético Nacional in 2017. He did not last long. Until a month ago he was a Guardiola technical assistant at Manchester City. Lillo generates divided opinions: the fans do not remember him with love, but his directions do not save praise towards him.
Others arrived in silence in Colombia and made a career here. Like the Argentine Juan Cruz Real, Known for an unlimited step as a player in Millionaires in 1998 and with steps by Costa Rica and Venezuela. He arrived in Alianza Petrolera in 2017. He then saved Jaguares from the descent and in 2020 he was appointed coach of America, with whom he was champion. Then he was without much success for Junior and Tolima.
Juan Cruz Real, Technician of America. Photo:Efe
A similar case is that of Lucas Gonzalez, Hired by golden eagles in 2023, after being an assistant and physical trainer. He made a spectacular campaign in the phase all against all, but did not revalidate it in home run. The next semester went through America, with similar luck. After a poor step through Central Córdoba, he has just been hired by Tolima Sports.
Thus presented the Tolima Sports to Lucas González. Photo:@cdtolima
Raimondi, without any experience as a first division technician, and with steps as a technical assistant of Uruguayan Diego Alonso, his prestige is played in one of the greats of the country. It will depend on it if it becomes successful or if it will be another failed bet.
José Orlando Ascencio
Sports Subeditor
@josc
