The new Peruvian soccer coach, Juan Reynoso, assured this Wednesday that he arrives at the Blanquirroja with “all batteries on” and stated that he intends to “continue promoting” the team from the bench.
“It is a dream of life, I am more than excited to have this position today and this is everyone’s job, the truth is that I am very moved by being able to reach the Peruvian national team to add in every way”, Reynoso said at a press conference after signing his new contract.
The Peruvian, from 52 years, will lead the team after the successful legacy of Argentine Ricardo Gareca, who achieved the long-awaited qualification for the World Cup in Russia of 2018 after 36 years of absence.
“Something that caught my attention is the team as a human group. I don’t believe in a clean slate, I believe that (in) what was built, with Ricardo at the helm, there is much to maintain. That part of believing in the Peruvian player is already there,” he said, assuring that the national team is viewed with respect.
He declared that he arrives “mature”, “very calm” and “much more tolerant” , and confessed that in conversations with Gareca, he already saw him as Blanquirroja’s “future coach”.
“Today, in Peru there are very good players individually, but the group is what makes him strong. The ego is left a bit to the side, but what does give me a lot of peace of mind is that everyone is clear that the shield is above the ego”, he said.
Regarding the players, he assured that What determines whether they are called up or not to play with the national team is not their age, but their present, and pointed out that the doors are open for Jefferson Farfán or Paolo Guerrero if they “recover their level” after the injuries they suffer.
“The players I have spoken with are thirsty for revenge“, he indicated about the elimination for Qatar 2022 in the playoff against Australia.
He showed his admiration for the Italian-Peruvian player Gianluca Lapadula: “He is one of the forwards that, as a defender, you don’t want to face.”
Regarding his technical team, Reynoso appointed Joaquín Velázquez as first assistant, and Gustavo Lombruno as physical trainer.
For his part, the president of the Peruvian Football Federation (FPF), Agustín Lozano, was “very optimistic” for the signing for Blanquirroja.
He said that Reynoso is a capable person with a great career, not only as a player and captain, but also as a coach “he has left a lot of school and has shown a lot of high capacity , directing both Peruvian and foreign clubs”.
“This is your house“, Lozano stressed when thanking Reynoso having accepted the challenge of taking the team to the World Cup of 2026.
Also present at the press conference was the general director of football for the FPF, Juan Carlos Oblitas, who showed “profound joy” when presenting Reynoso and expressed that “difficult and hard years” are ahead, but that this will have the full support of the federation.
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