The former coach of the Peruvian national team, Vélez Sarsfield, who has not run since the middle of the year after a sensible time on the bench, has entered the orbit of the Victorian establishment. The question immediately arises: Does Ricardo Gareca have the profile of the technical director that Alianza Lima should face next season? To answer this question, Game data Two aspects were considered: their recent results at club level and their ability to manage and lead teams.
Although his name has been mentioned, it is important to note that his hiring depends on various factors. Currently, after 36 years of success leading Peru to the World Cup, Ricardo Gareca is the most expensive coach and has received offers from both Ecuador and Bahrain. Also, in the blue and white sphere, Significant changes are necessary to provide favorable working conditions for Kareka or another internationally renowned practitioner. Who do you consider?
A sad return to linears
After a decade, Ricardo Gareca returned to Vélez Sarsfield in March this year, the club where he enjoyed a very successful stint as a team coach. It created a huge celebration in the linears, especially as the ‘Tiger’ is returning after leaving a historical mark with Peru and taking part in the 2018 World Cup in Russia, this time his cycle was statistically the shortest and least successful. Three weeks after his presentation, the strategist chose to resign, the results were uneven, plunging the team into a deep football crisis, with talk of relegation.
Gareca left Vélez Sarsfield in 22nd place with 16 points from 15 games with three wins, seven draws and five losses. Under Gareca, only one win was achieved, in their second match against Central Córdoba. His debut was a more sensible one with a draw against Plattens. However, what happened next was depressing. The team went on a 10-match streak without picking up three points, with just six draws and four defeats. Ricardo Gareca’s points percentage is 28%.
Vélez only managed 11 goals in 12 rounds, proving to be a team lacking in both defense and attack. 73% of these scores occurred in the first four dates under Kareka’s guidance. In seven consecutive games, the Liniers failed to break the deadlock. Additionally, it should be noted that they conceded 13 goals, an average of one goal per game. Horrible numbers.
As a result |
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Vélez Sarsfield 1-1 Platense |
Vélez Sarsfield 4-0 Central Cordoba |
Defense and Justice 0-0 Vélez Sarsfield |
Vélez Sarsfield 3-3 Banfield |
Company 1-0 Vélez Sarsfield |
Vélez Sarsfield 0-0 Barracas Central |
Cologne 2-1 Vélez Sarsfield |
Vélez Sarsfield 0-0 San Lorenzo |
Estudiantes La Plata 2-0 Vélez Sarsfield |
Vélez Sarsfield 0-0 Rosario Central |
Vélez Sarsfield 2-2 River Plate |
Belgrano 2-0 Vélez Sarsfield |
The coach himself tried to explain Ricardo Gareca’s challenging stats back at Vélez months later. He insisted that everything happened suddenly. As a spectator I had only skimmed some of the games and didn’t have a deep understanding of the team. At that point, when he was practically done with the Ecuadorian team, he got the call that they needed him. While this is a solid argument, it also leaves a precedent that nowadays, the ‘Tiger’ carefully evaluates a team before accepting the reins.
Paternal and encouraging
In Peru, we are familiar with the characteristic way Ricardo Gareca establishes relationships with his players. This coach tries to win the trust of the team from the first moment, internally and in handling the news. These were the fundamental keys to his success both at ‘Blanqueroja’ and at Vélez in previous years. His unique brand is forged in the locker room and during halftime technical talks.
There is a strange case that happened in our country, the protagonist of which is Christian Cueva. Despite the criticism received at the time, the player was always supported by the coach, which ironically led to the development of a better version of the footballer who is part of Alianza Lima today. Despite his acts of indiscipline, Ricardo Gareca gave him his support and it was this player who became one of the main architects of that historic classification.
However, this approach proved effective when he worked as a selector rather than a coach of a team in a local league. The dynamic with soccer players differs significantly between the two roles. In the national team, you only have a few days to train. When you’re at a club like Alianza Lima, you have to deal with players every day in practice throughout the whole season. This raises uncertainty about whether Ricardo Gareca can employ the same paternalistic style With players you can find at Alianza Lima. Of course, motivation is something that can be added to a team that has been defeated and hopes to bounce back in the university’s centennial year.
Know the context
If Alianza Lima wants to hire a foreign technical director, he should at least have previous experience in our football. It is important for the coach to understand how to navigate the various geographic terrains that exist in our competition. It is pertinent to remember that next season, there will be nine teams that will play to the advantage of the high altitude climate. In addition, the trips also include destinations in the north and east of Peru, each with its own specific strategies for dealing with conflicts. Given this reality, Ricardo Gareca fits the profile.
On the other hand, Ricardo Gareca has a unique advantage that no other coach has. His seven years of experience as Technical Director of the Peruvian National Team gave him a deep and comprehensive knowledge of the shortcomings of our competition. This role allowed him to gain valuable information about prominent footballers who are important figures today. Kareka knows both the strengths and weaknesses of these players intimately, which gives him a unique perspective when facing them.
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