Let's use this thread after the sting of elimination subsides to talk about what's up ahead: - Coaching - Copa America 2024 - World Cup Qualifying (Sede: USA/Mexico/Canada) - Etc.
Wait im just read that the next copa america host is not confirmed. We were supposed to host it but we declined ??? Is this true ?
I think I read that somewhere a couple of weeks ago. Someone from the FEF or LigaPro said that because of the violence Ecuador is not in a position where they can host the Copa America.
Pros for Farias: He would most likely bring Vizuete with him They would have the most knowledge of our football more than anyone. They would continue to incorporate youth and usually are very successful with out any major upsets Will know the whole WCQ format + playing in altitude They play offensive football very well and are very balanced. Cons: They probably wouldnt improve the mentality of our players. We may be taking a step back in that aspect. and that goes into discipline and handling the locker rooms as well. Pros for MAR: Probably the most appealing football out of all the other mentioned candidates. Probably the one who will be able to best prepare the players mentally as well as incorporate youth and new players. Cons: His tactics are sometime week defensively and could bring big upsets. May make players too overconfident. Pros Alfaro: I assume he will improve on this base of players with out the need to experiment so much. Meaning we wont go defensively or gamble important games. His philosophy towards all that was to find the flaws in our players. Those should be known by now in our main players. I expect to finally see the every game is a final mentality and only experiment in friendlies/ microciclos. No more Copa America/WCQ experimenting. Cons: He could continue to experiment go defensively and gamble big games. Pros Almada: Good balanced tactics Good amount of international experience Cons MX and Uruguay could take him away from us.
There are good options and honestly anyone right now would be willing to coach Ecuador due to how young but experienced they are now. It's a team that's on the verge on reaching the next level and coaches wouldn't have to start from scratch.
Thats a good point. The base of the NT is set. A coach doesn't need to come in and build the team. That's what Alfaro had to do. The main challenge for the next coach (or Alfaro if he stays on) is to take this group of players to the next level.
Young isn't bad. Look at Lionel Scaloni. Hell, I'd give el Kinito Mendez a look. He knows the game better than most, is highly tactical, and can command respect. Controversial opinion, perhaps, but sometimes looking outside the box is healthy. He would just need a really solid squad assistant coaches alongside him to really juice up the staff.
Which honestly shouldn't be hard. We have decent subs (and will replace them with better younger subs as the qualifiers go on) but we need a new GK and CF. Also the new coach has to coach bad habits out of some players (Sarmiento holding the ball too long, Plata camping too long on the wing, or Estrada hesitating to shoot).
That really diving into the deep end right there. I see that as impossible tbh. His near future options for the nt are youth ranks or assistant coach in the senior nt but he still a new face as a coach. I can't think of a coach that would want to incorporate him as an assistant coach. And the only assistant coach he has worked with so far was probably Geovanny Espinoza and maybe Franklin Salas. I like him and would want to see him become successful but he has to start somewhere small like 9 de Octubre or Imbambura.
Cifuentes and Hincapie have been linked to moves with Premier League teams. There's been rumors connecting Moises to Liverpool. I'd be surprised if Mendez doesn't make the move to a European team. We'll see if Torres makes the move to a more competitive league. Palacios had a good season with MLS. It's time for him to move on.
I have my doubts about Estrada...at some point in a player's development, they just plateau. I think he's too streaky to be considered a reliable option. Using him as a decoy or defense magnate has basically failed. Same with Jordy, too. Before the WC, Felix Torres was reportedly on the radar of Porto or Sporting. I forget which one.
Player development will depend a lot on the teams and leagues they go to. Also if they avoid serious injuries.
I think Portugal would be a good league for him. He wouldn't adapt well to the pace of the Premier League or Bundesliga. We're stuck with Estrada for the next couple of years. Jordy messed up big time by going to Mexico. Campana is a striker to keep an eye on but he gets injured often. He'll get opportunities but he'll have to stay fit.
I agree on Estrada I don't see him improving tbh. Jordy on the other hand hasn't gotten alot of chances on the NT. I'm pretty sure I saw rumors saying Tigres did not want him for next season and thar his old team in Bulgaria wanted him back. He needs to find his way to a slightly more competitive Euro league. He was built for leagues like Turkey, Russia, Belgium.
I keep looking at our wc rooster and seeing the fact that we didn't really have a fully competitive squad on the bench. Preciado, Mena were kinda of useless calls along with bringing so many cb and Arboleda to a certain extent. We really could have used Alvarado, Campana, even Jordy.
Jordy Caicedo needs playing time. The mistake wasn't in going to Mexico. He messed up by going to Tigres. If he goes to a team where he starts then he he'll recover his form. He's fast and strong so he could have been useful in the game against Senegal. There's been rumors that Cuco Angulo is returning to Emelec. If he scores goals like he used to then he's another striker to keep an eye on.
That would be the best move for him. Cuco Angulo wont find success aboard anytime soon he needs to come back home. Leeds going after Plata rumor is starting to spread now.
His style of play would adapt well to the Premier League but he would have to put on some muscle mass.
Coaching is gonna be a big decision, i have no idea who they will choose but it has to be someone who can take full advantage of out teams capabilities and understand our limits. Preferably someone with experience in coaching SA teams, but most importantly someone who isnt influence easily by FEF in call-up decisions. Copa America was supposed to be in Ecuador but the host location remains a mystery, i hope we do get to host it in the end it would be good for Ecuadorian futbol as im sure a lot of stadiums will get funds for renovation and maintenance. Probably a prime chance to win the Copa America if not this edition than the next. WCQ start in March with 6.5 spots allocated to SA now. Brazil and Argentina a lock as always, Bolivia and Venezuela has better odds of qualifying but i dont see them making it this round. That leaves the remaining 4.5 spots to be fought by the likes of Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay. Although i like our odds being down 3pts, a possible new coach, aging keeprs and lack of goalscorers will be our obstacles for this cycle. The schedule will also be a big factor the faster we overcome our defecit in points the better, a bad start could be our undoing.