Andina

Ricardo Gareca: Thanks to all the Peruvian people; we will never forget the affection

Photo: ANDINA/Renato Pajuelo

Photo: ANDINA/Renato Pajuelo

13:32 | Lima, Jul. 19.

Argentinean-born coach Ricardo Gareca said goodbye to Peru on Tuesday and highlighted the contribution of Peruvian fans to fulfilling the team's goals.

Thus, he infinitely thanked the people inside and outside the South American country as their support was crucial for qualifying for the 2018 Russia World Cup, among others.

Gareca held a farewell press conference at the Hilton Hotel in Lima, from where he answered questions about the renewal negotiations held with the Peruvian Soccer Federation (FPF) last week in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

The 64-year-old soccer specialist was joined by part of his coaching staff, including Nestor Bonillo (physical trainer) and Sergio Santin (technical assistant), in addition to his legal representative Mario Cupelli.

"Thanks to the Peruvian people, to all the people here and abroad; we will never forget what you did for us. We always relied on that support. I just want to thank you for that," Gareca expressed.

"(…) the people were key in all the objectives such as qualifying for the (2018) World Cup. The support of the people was decisive. We are eternally grateful," he added.

Gareca highlighted that he had never felt used by the FPF head Agustin Lozano, with whom he has a respectful relationship and who only met with him to address purely sporting issues.

Moreover, the coach did not hesitate to express his broad affection for Peru because it made him experience emotions that he had never felt. In fact, Gareca assured that he will always be related to this country for everything it meant to him and his staff.

He also revealed how real his interest was in remaining four more years leading the national team that he had proposed his family members moving to Peru because he needed more company. This request had never been made to his loved ones during his career as a coach.

Achievements

Between 2015 and 2022, Gareca led Peru's squad during 96 matches (40 wins, 21 draws, and 35 losses). The team scored 119 goals for and received 108 against.

Gareca —a former soccer player— is the coach with the most matches among South American Soccer Confederation (Conmebol) teams today and also the one who had the longest cycle —after Oscar Washington Tabarez who left the Uruguayan team in November 2021.

One of Gareca's greatest achievements at the helm of the Peruvian team was to take it to a FIFA World Cup tournament again after 36 years —once it earned the passport towards Russia 2018 by having won the intercontinental playoff against New Zealand (2-0) in Lima in November 2017.

Another of the goals fulfilled by Gareca was to lead Peru to play a Copa America final after 44 years —when it played the final versus Brazil in the 2019 edition. The Red-White Team ended second in that tournament. 

Saddened by his departure, Gareca asserted that he feels a great pain for not having enabled Peru to qualify for the Qatar 2022 World Cup, adding that as a pending issue he had left was to win a title with the squad.

As is known, the Argentine is well loved in Peru.

(END) JSO/MVB

Publicado: 19/7/2022