Chile’s National Professional Football Association (ANFP) is still looking for a new coach for its national team following the resignation of Argentine Eduardo Berizzo. Against Ecuador, last Tuesday, in Quito, the sixth round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, La Roja was led by temporary Nicolás Córdova and despite all their shortcomings, La Roja put the Tricolore through their paces as they won 1-0 with a goal. by Ángel Mena.

‘Chile was a disaster. We never got the goal against a disgustingly bad Ecuadorian team’, was the merciless comment of the 1982 World Cup player.

Gustavo Quinteros, former two-time champion coach with Emelec (2013-2014) and who has since collected several titles in the land of lone stars with Universidad Católico and Colo Colo, appears to be the main candidate to take command of the Chilean team, but his the eventual appointment would be resisted by the leadership and press sector.

‘Transmission problems Ecuador vs. Chile does not depend on El Canal del Fútbol’, explained the director of the company that owns the TV rights to La Tri

Ricardo Gareca was also mentioned as an option, but nothing has been finalized yet, and the Peruvian Football Association entered into a dispute for his engagement, after the dismissal of Juan Reynos.

For now, the option of Manuel Pellegrino, who as a coach won the national championship in 1999 with Liga de Quito, and then started a successful journey in San Lorenzo, River Plate, Villarreal, Real Madrid, Málaga, Manchester City, among others, to Betis, where he works.

Félix Sánchez Bas, the ‘exclusive owner’ of all the palaces, and Francisco Egas, who hired him?

He won’t risk his head

the thirdnewspaper from Santiago, reproduces the strong statements that the 70-year-old strategist made to the media Relay, from Spain. A Chilean newspaper says: “Pellegrini slams the door on La Roja again. On this occasion the Engineer did so, setting aside his usual moderation and hurling sharp arrows at the ANFP’s forehead.” This is what he stated: “Going now when there is a committee that I don’t know that is making an effort to qualify Chile for the World Cup is not of interest to me. “It would be something else if there was a development program based on reality, on economic support for the development of Chilean football and the creation of a complete program from the lower divisions.”

Pellegrini explained his current lack of interest in the Chile coach position: “I would be excited after the end of my contract with Betis, which is still two years away.” I would very much like it, but two conditions have not been met: first because of my contract, and then because the conditions for Chile to qualify for the World Cup have not been met, to the extent that there is no strong self-criticism of what is done at the level of smaller divisions, championships and demand.” (D)