After a long time off the field Ricardo Gareca, also known as “Tigre”, returns to his role as coach by accepting an offer from the Chilean team. His mission is to restore the team's course World Cup 2026. It was recently announced that the National Professional Football Association (ANFP) has selected the Argentine coach to replace the outgoing coach Eduardo Berizzo. The latter showed a disappointing performance at the helm of La Roja, scoring only 5 points out of 18 in the early stages of the qualification process for the next one World Championship.
The news surprised everyone; However, this is not the first time that Chile and Peru have shared a technical director, as a similar event occurred decades ago.
György Orth, coach of the Chilean team
George Orth Wirthwhose name has been changed to Jorge for ease of recall, was a well-known Hungarian footballer who became a coach after a career-cutting injury.
When he was invited by the Chilean Football Federation to the opening of the 1930 World Cup, the first world tournament organized by FIFA, his appearance was brief but satisfying. They won two times (3-0 against Mexico and 1-0 against France) and only suffered one defeat, although this last result meant that the Chilean team did not advance to the second round. This is how his time as coach at La Roja ended.
György Orth always fondly remembered his first South American team. Photo: Chilean Football Association
“When I first came, I felt like a blind man seeing the light for the first time, or like a man who is thirsty and finds a wonderful spring along the way to fill himself. This footballer was a robust child, nothing more, ambitious and willing to develop, but in diapers. There was no professionalism,” he explained in a 1954 interview.
Jorge Orth and the Peruvian team
In 1957, the famous “Gringo” came to Lima to lead the Peruvian team just before the start of the 1957 South American Championship. During the tournament he managed to position the Blanquirroja in fourth place, only surpassed by Uruguay, Brazil and Argentina.
One of his most notable achievements was when he led the Bicolor to a historic 4-1 victory over England legend Bobby Charlton at the National Stadium in 1959. The star of this memorable game was Juan Seminario, one of the greatest Peruvian football players, and Juan Joya, idol of Peñarol.
Peru celebrated the Bicolor's historic victory over England. Photo: Historiatradicionyfutbol.blogspot
Orth was also the brains behind the 5-3 win against Uruguay in 1959 and the 2-2 draw against Brazil, the current world champions, who had a very young Pelé in their ranks at the start of the new edition of the championship. South American. The event also marked a milestone in Peru: it was the first game to be televised throughout the national territory.