The former coach of the Peru team has confirmed that there are indeed talks with the Ecuadorian Football Federation. How far are the negotiations between Gareca and Ecuador?
Ricardo Gareca In recent weeks he has been associated with the Ecuadorian soccer team, which of course also made headlines in Peru. The ‘Tigre’ left an indelible mark working with the Peru team and it’s still hard for many fans to understand that he was able to reach a national team from the same continent so soon. Amid various rumors over the past few months, the possibility of replacing Gustavo Alfaro has gained the most strength.
Ricardo Gareca has been without a team since he left the Peru soccer team after losing the playoffs to Australia in July 2022. Since then, the international press has placed “Tigre” as a candidate to lead the Mexican team, while Cruz Azul is already independent. How are your negotiations with Ecuador going?
Ricardo Gareca managed the Peru team for seven years. Photo: FPF
What did Ricardo Gareca say about his possible arrival in Ecuador?
Rumors of Gareca as a candidate to lead the Ecuadorian team began to gain strength in January 2023, echoing in that country’s press, along with several informative notes from Peru. However, the “Tiger” only confirmed on Thursday 2 February that it was in negotiations with the FEF.
“I’m open to anything, we’re talking to Ecuador. I liked Alfaro’s team and work. We talk, they talk to the lawyer who takes care of my personal affairs,” the Argentine coach told ESPN’s F10. He also stressed that there was a predisposition on both sides and that Ecuador might also be involved other technicians in discussion.
What was said in Ecuador about Ricardo Gareca’s possible arrival at the national team?
A week after Gustavo Alfaro’s departure, Francisco Egas, President of the Ecuadorian Football Federation, stated on DSports Ecuador that it was an honor to have Ricardo Gareca as DT. “He’s a great coach with an incredible past in South American football who knows national team football inside out,” he said.
Ricardo Gareca confirmed that there are talks with the FEF on February 2, 2023. Photo: FPF
Beyond the statements made by the FEF President, Francisco “Pancho” Molestina, an Ecuadorian journalist, said through his social networks that Gareca’s economic ambitions were the obstacle for the Argentinean in not reaching his team. It is said that Ecuador’s formal offer is lower than what it had in Peru.
What are the other candidates to lead Ecuador?
When Francisco Egas indicated interest in Ricardo Gareca for the first and only time, he also mentioned that they already have a more or less clear profile of the new coach, but have not yet defined a concrete squad of candidates. However, it has emerged that the main alternative is Sebastián Beccacece, a former defense and justice technician.
In this regard, the Argentine said a few days ago that he does not rule out the option of managing the Ecuadorian team. “It is clear that the possibility is Ricardo Gareca. Being a selector and working in a short time, on tours, traveling takes a while. I’m not ruling out the option of being a selector, I enjoyed being there,” he said.