There is no doubting the high credentials of Leonel Alvarez’s footballing career as a player but the jury remains out on his ability to carve an under-performing Colombia side into World Cup qualifiers. At 46 years of age and now in the unfashionable role of Colombian national team coach one hopes that his relative tactical naivety and inexperience as a coach will not impede Colombia’s progress.
Alvarez plied his trade with various clubs in Colombia, Spain, Mexico and USA as a defensive midfielder and he is also the second most capped player (behind only Carlos Valderrama) to have played for the national side with 101 caps to his name between 1985 and 1995. Having represented his country in two World Cups (1990 and 1994) and in five Copa America tournaments, Alvarez cannot be said to fear the grand occasion but his meager coaching experience is limited to a short but successful period in charge of Independiente de Medellin in 2008-2010.
Were there Better Choices for the Colombia Coach?
With Hernan Dario Gomez or el Bolillo’s resignation as the Colombia coach, after his altercation with a woman in a Bogota bar, a few names were batted around as the possible successor. Most notably these included former Brazil coach Dunga and the former Paraguay coach Gerardo Martinez, both of whom have substantial experience leading national sides in international competitions.
Colombia’s Recent Football History
Currently number 35 in the FIFA World Rankings one cannot help but feel that the Cafeteros – as the national side is sometimes known – are distinct underachievers. With the firepower of notable strikers such as the high flying Radamel Falcao formerly of Porto and now at Atletico Madrid, Wigan’s Higo Rodallega and the very promising Racing of Argentina target man Teofilo Gutierrez, there should be goals in this team. But, despite the best efforts of various national team coaches, the Cafeteros have fired blanks in international competitions for some time.
As caretaker coach, while Gomez’s fate was being decided, Alvarez was able to oversee two victories for the national side versus Jamaica and Honduras, both by the same margin of 2-0 played in the United States.
But there is so much more to play for in this qualifying process since Brazil as hosts are automatically qualified and so there are now just nine teams in the running for four direct berths for Brazil 2014 and one intercontinental play-off spot. Could Colombia manage it this time?
Alvarez knows the risks and he knows that opportunity is knocking for Colombia. He is more familiar with the players and the odds are in Colombia’s favour since five from nine teams can theoretically make it through to Brazil. He will however, be judged fast, and Colombia’s next three games all count towards this final goal.
October 11/ 11 – Bolivia vs. Colombia
November 11/11 Colombia vs. Venezuela
November 15/11 Colombia vs. Argentina
And looking at these fixtures, with the right organization and belief there’s no reason why the Cafeteros cannot proceed with maximum points.
Richard McColl - I am a freelance writer from deepest darkest London but for the past 10 years or so I have been maintaining my extended "writing break" in ...
