Ricardo Gareca: is it true or an exaggeration to say that the new Chilean coach got off the poster in Peru?

His hiring as coach of the Chilean team It only proves his very high professional quality: while his contract in Peru lasted, he defended these interests like no one else and the day he could not renew – or they did not want to pay, which is the speculation that crosses editorial offices and Videna, and vice versa -, he decided to listen to offers -Costa Rica, Alianza, América de Cali-, directing clubs -Vélez- or traveling to see other worlds -Bahrain-. And when he found the ideal setting to direct again, he chose Chile, which already made the signing official via a press conference. A Chile that today passes through the same ICU room where Peru sleeps in these Qualifiers. If it were Colombia or Uruguay, no one would say anything, but it is Chile, a team to which we are united by kilometers of border, sea and hostility.

Maybe it is not understood, but federations do not hire fans. In that sense, Gareca’s personal or messianic reasons for going to Santiago are not discussed, nor should we debate about other people’s money, an exercise that we so easily promote in forums. Did he get off the poster? Yes, it was the risk: no one puts the photo of the ex on the wall. How is gratitude? Intact, at least for the sensible ones who have memory. Lose everything? Yes, but he may lose everything if it suits Peru.

In short, this is a new contract signed by Gareca, not the delivery of a Machu Picchu tower: 20 months ago the FPF understood that its cycle had ended, it took upon itself the closing of an unforgettable cycle and its popularity already in descent, was added to the discredit he inherited from the Reynoso process. She checked herself. And now he must pray that things go badly for Gareca.

Made of scraps, united by the liquid rubber of sentimentality, the Peruvians who still love the team well only have to fill the stadiums, concentrate their energy and remember that the rivals wear different shirts than ours. Needless to say, on Peru-Chile day, November 14, 2024, Nacional must have 40,000 people standing up to watch the game. Not to take photos.