Ricardo Gareca the most successful foreign coach with the peruvian team confessed that the repechage with Australia Course to Qatar 2022 not only did it mean a great sporting setback in his career, but it was also the reason for him to lose a great opportunity with a selection of South America.
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The 64-year-old coach, who today is unemployed in search of a big team in the region with which he can compete at the continental level, acknowledged in the program ‘The VBar’ of Caracol Radio that he did not have a chance to accept the interest of the Colombian national team who, for the second time, sought to have his service.
“Colombia… there was a lot of talk at the time, but since I had the commitment to play off, and having a contract, then you had to wait for the play-off and I never had any chance to direct because I had a contract and the play-off, during that time.“, he pointed.
Ricardo Gareca hugs his friend José Pekerman (Photo: Getty Images)
“I know the Colombian player well”
Ricardo Gareca had first been contacted to replace José Pekerman and then his name came up to take the diver after Reinaldo Rueda left, but it was impossible for him to negotiate. “Colombia had already chosen Lorenzo, they already knew him since Pekerman, he had a great campaign in Melgar and they signed a contract when we were prior to the playoffs. They already had who was going to be the coach of Colombia“Gareca said.
The ‘Tigre’ showed his knowledge of Colombian soccer and also the contribution that his new DT can mean to him. “I know the Colombian player, I have lived there for five years, I have directed, it is a country that I know well, but the leaders already knew Lorenzo, his way of working and I imagine that this knowledge led them to make the decision. They are boys who have knowledge, it seems good to me and it is good to give them this possibility”, he commented.
For the coach, the youth of Nestor Lawrence It is not an impediment to see him in the 2026 World Cup. “There are technicians who do things very well, it is not a matter of age, but of ability. Colombia is a team with the players it has, plus the coupling of the coaching staff, who will surely achieve important things”, he highlighted.
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“My intention is to work and not be stopped”
Finally, Ricardo Gareca He acknowledged that he is already eager to return to activity. “Taking these six months for the family and after the World Cup we are looking at the possibilities that arise, after seven years with a national team, we wanted to see that possibility, but I also like the day to day, my intention is to work and not be unemployed”, he concluded.
