Argentinians Gustavo Alfaro and Ricardo Gareca are apparently the finalists to take over the position of Costa Rica’s coach, according to the Costa Rican media, in the League of Nations and in the Concacaf qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, which they will not have in competition with the United States, Mexico and Canada, the organizers of FIFA tournament.

Alfaro qualified Ecuador for Qatar 2022, where the national team was eliminated in the group stage after losing 2-1 to Senegal. After that meeting, he did not renew with the Ecuadorian Football Association, which recently won a lawsuit against FIFA, which ordered the tricolor soccer’s governing body to pay Alfaro $2 million (Ecuafútbol appealed the ruling).

Meanwhile, Gareca led Peru to Russia 2018 after a 36-year absence from the World Cup and led the Incas to the 2019 Copa América final, where they lost to Brazil. He Tiger was close to going to Qatar in 2022, but the Peruvians lost 5-4 on penalties in one of the play-offs with Australia. The coach was sought by FEF as Alfaro’s successor, but the agreement was not concluded because, according to the former striker, the Ecuadorian managers delayed the negotiations.

‘Closer’ Alfaro

As for Costa Rica, Alfaro would have a slight advantage over Alfaro, according to some Costa Rican versions. According to the newspaper CR today “Today, his name sounds like the main candidate to sit on the bench of the national team. Alfaro has already had a virtual conversation with national team director Claudio Vivas, and now reaching an agreement is in the hands of the Executive Committee of the Costa Rican Football Federation (Fedefútbol).”

Alfaro, 61, adds that he is “also well known for his role as a sports commentator. He has a good verb and is excellent at analyzing matches, which is why he has always been in high demand in the media. In recent weeks, out of work, his name has been heard in Paraguay and Chile , but he negotiated separately with Racing Club. None of that came to fruition, and now he is closer than ever to becoming the coach of Costa Rica.”

However, Nationfrom San José, says that “Ricardo Gareca is the ‘A’ option to take over the Costa Rica team, but after the South American qualifying round the coach’s name has been linked with several countries.”

Are you going to MLS?

Meanwhile, the chain’s website Teletics It also mentions two candidates and reproduces the statements of both. “The competition is between the Argentines Ricardo Gareca and Gustavo Alfaro. Teletica.com confirmed that both have already held extensive meetings with Claudio Vivas, the sports director of the Association,” the note states.

It is added that “this media learned that the meeting between Alfaro and Vivas lasted about three hours. Of course, Alfaro will travel to the United States this week, as he has the option of joining an MLS club.”

This was stated by Alfaro in Teletics: “I am pleased that Costa Rica remembered me for that position. We analyze the situation, we look at the team, the situations, etc. We have very little time ahead of us, and the things about the country are very important. We’ll see if we get together, I can’t confirm that because no one has spoken to me.”

Gareca, within sight of Chile

It is reported that “Alfaro stressed that he has to consider other job opportunities he has.” DT said: “I am also thinking about other possibilities, but from the equipment that has arrived these days. – I can’t tell you more.

Gareca (58) was more stingy: “I won’t make any statements, it’s always an honor that the national team takes me into account.”

For Nation “Ricardo Gareca is starting to be quoted in other countries amid strong interest from the Costa Rican team,” as he would reportedly take over from criticized Argentina coach Eduardo Berizzo in Chile next November. (D)