Ricardo Gareca and the future: January’s friendlies and their possible renewal

“If Peru has an intention of continuity, it will always be a priority”he says calmly Ricardo Gareca in his last conference of the year, in the Videna. They asked him about the possibility of renewing for one more period with the national team and the ‘Tigre’, for the first time, did not hide his enthusiasm or close doors.

The two consecutive victories on the last qualifying round not only reassures Gareca’s present, but also clears the way for a possible future. The Bicolor coach closed his sporting year with a prudent projection for the next few months.

Adding six points against Bolivia and Venezuela places Peru in the most expectant situation of these Qualifiers 2022. Therefore, the utmost neatness is necessary in the preparation for that match.

“Juan Carlos [Oblitas] and Antonio García Pye are on that topic. See the theme of playing friendlies, if it is on an international scale, the better. Because we need that level of demand. That’s what we’re doing ”, says Gareca, recognizing that up to two friendlies could be played with the aforementioned players. Both meetings would be in the first two weeks of January.

Repechage to be defined

The Blanquirroja technical command begins its last week of activities in 2021. Those who will continue working in December will be some members of the physical preparation area. Recovering players like Paolo Guerrero and Andy Polo will be able to continue their therapies at La Videna. In addition, MLS players will be able to start preseason work from the first half of the other month (the US tournament ends on December 11).

There is calm and optimism because, at last, the expected results were achieved. Even FIFA published its latest ranking and Gareca even took time to describe Christian Cueva’s celebration with the most viral hug of the moment. “I’m not saying it is modest. Christian scored the goal, we were within walking distance. He turned and maybe the first one he saw is me”Said the ‘Tiger’.

Peru closes the year in a playoff position and, on this, there is also information from FIFA. Next Friday there will be a draw to define with whom the fifth in South America will compete for the World Cup. The rival may be from Asia, Concacaf or Oceania. The novelty is that these keys will be played in a single party.

With the news of the cessation of Uruguay’s coach, Óscar Washington Tabárez, Gareca will play the next qualifying date as the coach with the longest time in office in all of South America. And now he has declared that he does not rule out staying one more period. Everything will depend on the Peruvian Football Federation and how it will be institutionally. Its president, Agustín Lozano, will face an oral trial on March 31 for irregularities when he was mayor of Chongoyape.

The governance of the FPF, in the near future, will be one of the first issues to be resolved before considering any continuity of processes. The same month as Lozano’s hearing, the contract of Gareca and the sports director, Juan Carlos Oblitas, expires. It is not a happy coincidence to make long-term plans for now.