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The DT has to define this December 31 whether or not he continues to command the Chilean team. The directors of that country put an ultimatum to the Valle del Cauca coach, who is still in negotiations to take over as coach of Colombia.
The last known was revealed by Chilean media: Ramón Jesurún, president of the Colombian Football Federation, met with Reinaldo Rueda to talk about the Colombian national team, the future of a team that in 2020 finished seventh in the South American qualifiers heading to Qatar, which lost to Uruguay in Barranquilla (something that had never happened), and also to Ecuador by a landslide in Quito (the worst in recent history).
After Christmas there was a rapprochement between the parties, but no agreement was reached with the current coach of the Chilean team. Rueda wants a long project, the opportunity to structure a plan that goes beyond 2022, and that would be one of the obstacles.
On the other side is the ANFP (National Association of Professional Soccer) and its president, Pablo Milad, a leader who has been very calm about the situation, who has spoken with Rueda and Jesurún, and who never tires of repeating that what The most he wants is for the strategist to be where he feels most comfortable.
However, this affability does not mean that in Chile they are not eager for everything to be resolved, to see which way to go with a team that is going through a similar situation with Colombia. “The term that Rueda has is until December 31. We have to mark a roadmap in case of his departure and we need to know that as soon as possible, “Milad said a few days ago in an interview with Directv Sports.
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For now, and after the last virtual meeting between Rueda and Jesurún (DT is on vacation) there was no yes on the economic issue and everything was quiet. In addition, it is well known that in case of wanting to take command of the Colombian national team, Rueda would have to pay US $ 1 million in compensation for terminating his contract with Chile, money that should come from the coffers of the FCF, something with which they are not agreed by some members of the Executive Committee of the governing body.
And it is something reasonable if you understand the situation that the Federation is going through, which in a couple of months had to cancel the fine imposed by the Supersociedades for the scandal of the resale of tickets for the qualifying matches heading to Russia 2018 ($ 16 billion) and compensation to Carlos Queiroz for his departure (less than the US $ 2 million that had to be canceled).
Another factor that has everything blocked is that Rueda would like to earn the same amount that Queiroz earned per year (US $ 3.5 million), a salary that for the Federation is very high taking into account the current financial situation. The parties will continue talking and in the next few hours there could be an agreement.
“It is normal that in this type of dialogue there are disagreements regarding money, but in the end a middle point is reached, especially if both sides want the same thing,” a source told this medium. Let us remember that Rueda was already in command of the Colombian team between 2004 and 2006, and that on that occasion he was left out of the World Cup in Germany by one point (Uruguay won the playoff ticket with 25 units and the tricolor closed the tie with 24 ).
A highly sought-after coach
While the Chilean press has been reluctant with Rueda since he took office, national team players have repeatedly said they support his work. Even Arturo Vidal, captain of the team, defended him from the attacks, ensuring that his work was on track, that he knew the group and that he understood the dynamics of each player despite the inconvenience of injuries and absences he had in 2020.
Also that he was the only one who was betting on the youth, a sign that he went beyond immediate results and thought ahead. That is why there is a sector that hopes that it will not go away and that it continues with what has been agreed. Of course, they also understand that Rueda wants to lead Colombia and that going to a World Cup being the manager of his country’s team is one of his dreams.
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Valle del Cauca’s resume generates the empathy and accolades he has had in both countries: third in a U-20 World Cup (the contest that took place in the United Arab Emirates in 2003), two World Cups for seniors ( South Africa 2010 with Honduras and Brazil 2014 with Ecuador), a Copa Libertadores title with Atlético Nacional (2016) and having managed Flamengo, one of the most important Brazilian clubs on the continent and the one with the largest fan base in Brazilian territory.
Rueda can promise a better present than this for both Chile and Colombia. And that is why both countries recognize their habits, their ways of working and, most importantly, their commitment to people and to the quality of the game itself. That is the interest of both parties.
