READ ALSO | Why did Gianluca Lapadula reject Peru in the first place?
Where is Gareca?
In Buenos Aires, on vacation. There, contrary to what happened following the classification of Russia, he has avoided the TV road show, and thus excessive exposure on a subject that paralyzes the country as much as the rise in gasoline: whether to stay or go. There, in the days of next week, the president of the FPF Agustín Lozano would travel to resume talks regarding the continuity of the ‘Tiger’, as far as DT was able to learn in the last few hours, “fluid, optimistic and with the intention of continuing ”. The exhaustion following Australia is logical -more or less, two months of previous work- and the distance is better to clear any cloud that prevents the renewal. A request that, according to the latest survey by Ipsos Peru and El Comercio, 88% of soccer fans wanted days before the painful match with Australia.
When will there be a definitive answer?
First, a detail: to date, what is known is the intention of both parties to continue. Perhaps Juan Carlos Oblitas, Selection Director, has been more emphatic: “I have a plan, and that plan is Gareca”. Lozano was more diplomatic on a TV channel: “We are talking a lot and we believe that it is good for both of us to take some time, with patience things are done well”. When then would there be a final answer? Sources inside Videna confirmed to DT that the final announcement will be made no later than July 15, that is, next Friday.
What is being resolved?
An old note salvaged from the archives reads: “The millionaire prize that Peru will receive from FIFA for its classification”. Those were the times before Russia and there was talk of a figure close to 10 million dollars. We didn’t walk; we floated And income from sponsorship was not included there. Well, that number no longer exists: Peru is not in the World Cup in Qatar and although it is not a federation of shortcomings -the powerful Adidas has just signed a contract to dress the team until 2026-, they do not have the same resources. In this scenario, renewal is also discussed. And although neither Lozano nor Gareca talked regarding money at the Hotel Country breakfast -on the technician’s side the issue is resolved by his lawyer, Mario Cupelli-, the truth is that from the FPF there is no intention of lowering his salary. “What is important to understand are the current circumstances and from there, plan the next World Cup”, they say from the FPF. A possible equation would be to adjust the current payments that include the entire technical command, with a charge to balance them with the prize for classification.
RECOMMENDED VIDEO
Do you have other offers?
Yes. Or had. A concrete one, through his environment -the Qatar team- and another approach -Egypt, as a replacement for Carlos Queiroz-. In both cases, unofficially. And in the last few hours, Boca Juniors once once more asked regarding his situation. However, Gareca told them “no” because he is still in talks to continue as a red and white coach.
Is the FPF going to make a decision regarding the clubs?
This week the FPF will announce at a press conference a series of measures to strengthen the structures of Peruvian soccer, with a view to the next qualifying process. Gareca knows this. As DT was able to learn, these guidelines include decisions on the First and Second clubs, the Licensing Commission and the next World Cup commitment that the team does have: the organization of the 2023 U-17 World Cup in Callao and Chiclayo. In fact, two emissaries from FIFA have arrived in Lima to monitor the process and guarantee the support of soccer’s highest body.
