The Foreign Controversy: Why No Local Talent For La Sele?
The first question that struck me was: why are all four of the final candidates for managing Costa Rica’s national soccer team, known as ‘La Sele,’ foreign? The General Secretary, Gustavo Araya, revealed that the new coach would indeed be an outsider, and it raised questions about the absence of local talent, especially considering the relatively less daunting road ahead for the Costa Rican squad with Mexico, the U.S., and Canada out of the picture.
The Talent Spectrum: From South America To Home Soil
From well-informed sources, it’s known that Sports Director Claudio Vivas has been profiling multiple South American coaches, especially from Argentina. However, I’d like to put the spotlight on ‘my’ choices for the role, having assessed unemployed foreign coaches qualified to lead a national team. Here are my top 3 picks:
3. Jorge Luis Pinto (Colombia)
I’ve placed him in third because of his lack of recent victories. However, he meets many prerequisites, such as knowledge of the local league, key players, and critical area rivals—attributes vital for quick collective growth. Despite his controversial exit from Costa Rica, I consider maturity and common welfare should prevail. But his lack of recent coaching success is a downside.
2. Ricardo Gareca (Argentina)
What I admire most about the 65-year-old Argentine are two things: his knack for achieving goals against the odds, and how he got Peru to perform impressively during the World Cup qualifiers. He is focused, reputable, and has a rational discourse—a plus amidst the emotional whirlwind surrounding La Sele. However, he has never coached in the CONCACAF region and failed to qualify for the Qatar World Cup 2022 with Peru.
1. Gustavo Alfaro (Argentina)
The 61-year-old Argentine coach secured Ecuador’s spot in the Qatar World Cup 2022, marking him as an ideal candidate for Costa Rica’s similar youth-driven setup. His resume includes significant successes, including a stint at the esteemed Boca Juniors. Though lacking CONCACAF experience, his professional approach makes up for it. However, his high market value could be a downside.
