Iván Zamorano: 'Inconceivable' Chile Still Lacks Permanent National Team Coach

Chilean football icon Iván Zamorano has voiced strong criticism regarding the national team's ongoing coaching vacancy, calling the situation 'inconceivable' nearly a year after Ricardo Gareca's exit.

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It's time to make decisions, it is inconceivable that Chile does not have a coach at this point. If Nico (Córdova) wins, he's the best, but if he then loses, he should leave.

Zamorano, a former captain and prominent figure for 'La Roja,' expressed his frustration with the extended interim period under Nicolás Córdova, who took charge on an emergency basis in July of the previous year. Gareca stepped down following Chile's failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

Speaking from Miami, Zamorano emphasized the urgency of the matter. "It's time to make decisions," he stated. "It is inconceivable that Chile does not have a coach at this point. If Nico (Córdova) wins, he's the best, but if he then loses, he should leave." Zamorano stressed the critical need for a permanent manager to "plan, build a structure, and initiate radical changes."

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We need a coach from now on, to plan, to build a structure and to start the radical changes.

The legendary striker also pointed to the perceived inaction within the Football Federation of Chile (ANFP). Zamorano noted that ANFP President Pablo Milad and Vice President Jorge Yunge appear to have secured positions within CONMEBOL, suggesting a potential distraction from addressing the pressing issues within Chilean football. He lamented that "decisions that the Federation in Chile must make regarding Chilean football are not happening."

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I see that the president of the ANFP (Pablo Milad) and the vice president (Jorge Yunge) already have positions secured in CONMEBOL, but the decisions that the Federation in Chile must make regarding Chilean football are not happening.