Ricardo Gareca and the records that support his success and the desire to continue in the national team

Since the glorious age of peruvian national team came to an end, back in the 80’s, a large number of coaches tried -unsuccessfully- to return the ‘Blanquirroja’ to the place where it belongs. In fact, after the World Cup Spain 82′, with the Brazilian Tim in charge of the team, 24 DT’s took the baton of the national bench without achieving the long-awaited World Cup qualification. The drought lasted for a long number of years. but it came Ricardo Gareca, the 25th suitor, in March 2015, to give us back the hope and joy that many of us have lost in recent years. This time the objective could not be achieved, as in Russia 2018, but the ‘Tiger’ process must continue regardless of the recent defeat against Australia. There is no doubt.

“I believe in the Peruvian player”, Gareca pronounced when he was presented to the whole country as the new coach of the national team seven years ago. The start, of course, was more than complicated for the ‘Tiger’, but confidence in his players always prevailed. That is the key to his success that has continued until today, beyond the fall in Qatar.

With the playoff game against Australia, the Argentine coach added his match number 96 in charge of the selection, which is expected to reach the special figure of 100 meetings directed soon. His balance, so far, has been 39 wins, 22 draws and 35 losses.

Without a doubt, we are talking about the longest process in the history of the national team (96 games in seven years and three months). Far behind were the 51 matches managed by the remembered Marcos Calderón or the 45 by Sergio Markarián. Gyorgry Orth’s four consecutive years in charge (1957-1961) are also behind him. or the more than three years of Juan Carlos Oblitas (1996 – 1999).

This would not have been possible if Gareca had not earned all the trust of the Peruvian people by hand. He is one of the most beloved characters in the country and it is not for less. In the midst of all the difficulties that surround the national team, the ‘Tiger’ has managed to carry us forward with feats never achieved before or with records that many found it impossible to break. He restored prestige to the team. And, for this reason, in the next few days the FPF must move heaven and earth to convince him to renew his contract. It is extremely necessary.

The other records of the ‘Tiger’

The ‘Tiger’ has already achieved the unthinkable on several occasions. If before it was impossible for Peru to win in Asunción and Quito, today it is no longer the case thanks to Gareca. The Argentine coach managed to break the curse and achieved historic victories on the visit to Paraguay (4-1 in 2017) and in Ecuador twice (both 2-1). He also managed to succeed in Venezuela and Colombia after more than two decades.

under that same line, Ricardo Gareca He also managed to beat Brazil (1-0) in an official match after 41 long years, with the remembered goal with the hand of Raúl Ruidíaz in the 2016 Copa América Centenario. Peru has only been able to overcome ‘Scratch’ five times in history and two of them have been under the command of the Argentine.

Like little, the ‘Tiger’ has led the longest undefeated streak in the history of the national team, with 15 consecutive games without losing. He also placed us in a Copa América final in Brazil 2019, after 44 years. And not a minor fact is that with him, the ‘Blanquirroja’ reached the Top 10 of the FIFA ranking in 2017, a feat never achieved before.

Now, let’s not forget that Gareca’s best success with the national team has been qualifying for the World Cup after 36 years in Russia 2018, an event in which he managed to win a World Cup match after 40 years (2-0 against Australia). It was historic.

The ‘Tiger’ wanted to extend his success with a new World Cup qualification, to Qatar 2022, but it has not been possible. His fall against Australia in Doha, undeniably quite painful, frustrated his record of becoming the first coach to lead Peru in two World Cups. However, the ‘Tigre has to continue fighting for that feat with the national team ahead of the Canada-United States-Mexico 2026 World Cup.

The name of Ricardo Gareca He is already registered in the most glorious pages of the Peruvian team, regardless of what happened recently in Qatar. For many, the Argentine has done all the merits to be considered the best coach in our history, above Marcos Calderón or the Brazilian Didí. And so he has been practically embodied in this note. His unbeatable records on the national bench fully support him. He has achieved much with little. And that deserves infinite recognition. For that, and much more, he should continue his history with our country.