José Pékerman: Coaching Journey and Upcoming Legends Match Roster

2023-11-30 15:12:20

Although Néstor Lorenzo’s process in the Colombian National Team is stronger than ever, it is impossible to forget that his story with the Tricolor began last decade, when he was part of José Pékerman’s coaching staff, which allowed the country to return to Live World Cup qualifications, Brazil 2014 and Russia 2018.

The 74-year-old strategist had arrived at the vinotinto team to lead the project of this cycle for the 2026 World Cup, but he had clashes with the senior leadership of that team and ended up taking a step aside, which took the entire continent by surprise. .

Since then, he has been rumored to take on the technical direction of several clubs, including Boca Juniors, but the options have not materialized and his career seems to be on its way to ending permanently.

José Pékerman and his hug with Messi before a match between Argentina and Venezuela. | Photo: Getty Images

That does not mean that he has stopped being a coach admired by many football personalities. Proof of this is that he has been invited by Conmebol for the legends match that will take place on December 5 at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale as a prelude to the 2024 Copa América draw.

Pékerman will be the coach of ‘team 1’ and will lead three renowned Colombians: Carlos Valderrama, Fredy Guarín and his captain in Brazil 2014 Mario Alberto Yepes.

The South American confederation made official the roster that will be under the orders of the former Tricolor coach, in which, in addition to the Colombians, the presence of Sergio Agüero, Javier Zanetti, Diego Godín, Gonzalo Higuaín and Sebastián ‘el loco’ Abreu stands out.

The legends match is scheduled for Tuesday, December 5 at 8:00 p.m. (Colombia time) and will be shared through Conmebol’s social networks for all of Latin America.

The roster of team 1 directed by José Pékerman. | Photo: Conmebol

Pacho Maturana in the ‘team 2’

Maturana will be in charge of managing a luxury roster made up of Ronaldinho, Iván Zamorano, Claudio Pizarro, Marcelo Salas and Dida, historic goalkeeper of the Brazilian team, among others.

Bogota. October 28, 2016. Francisco ‘Pacho’ Maturana, the former technical director of the Colombian National Team and now a speaker. (Colprensa – Juan Páez). | Photo: Juan Páez

It should be remembered that Maturana has not officially directed since 2019, when he had a last experience with the Royal Pari of Bolivia. Before that he had been in charge of Once Caldas and also Al-Nassr of Saudi Arabia, a team in which world-class stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Sadio Mané and David Ospina currently play.

The list of figures that will parade through the Inter Miami stadium includes several legends from each of the countries belonging to Conmebol, as well as other guests from Mexico and Costa Rica.