Andina

Gareca will not renew contract with Peru's soccer squad

Photo: AFP

Photo: AFP

13:33 | Buenos Aires (Argentina), Jul. 14.

Argentinean-born coach Ricardo Gareca is no longer the coach of Peru's national soccer team after the strategist himself firmly rejected the proposal by the Peruvian Soccer Federation (FPF), which included a 40% salary reduction.

Gareca's legal representative put an end to contract renewal negotiations with the FPF after an agreement was not reached on what Gareca was requesting and what the highest entity of Peruvian soccer offered him.

During the first conversation, the FPF had proposed a renewal, but with a 40% salary reduction, in addition to the departure of part of his coaching staff.

At the latest campaign towards Qatar 2022, Gareca used to earn US$3.7 million per year, according to press reports. The new proposal stood at US$2.2 million annually.

This proposal was rejected by Gareca, who made the decision to end the talks, according to RPP Noticias.

As is known, FPF Chairman Agustin Lozano traveled to Buenos Aires to convince Gareca, who had departed for his home country last week to spend vacations and analyze whether or not to renew the contract, which had ended in June after a soccer match —the intercontinental playoff between Peru and Australia in Qatar on June 13. 


Thus, the cycle of Gareca leading the Red-White Team has come to an end —after being one of the most successful coaches in the history of Peru's squads.

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 after having won the intercontinental playoff against New Zealand (2-0) in Lima in November 2017.

Until then, the national team had not participated a World Cup event since 1982.

Between 2015 and 2022, Gareca led Peru's squad during 96 matches (40 wins, 21 draws, and 35 losses).

It must be noted that the Argentine is well loved in Peru, despite not having qualified for the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup.

(END) JSO/MVB

Published: 7/14/2022