Quito -
The National will be his debut as head coach in the first division. It was a goal set for the Argentine Jorge Montesino in 2020, who takes over the leadership of the "criollos" for the resumption of the season after Eduardo Lara's departure.
Montesino arrived in Ecuador in 2019. He was assistant coach to Marcelo Zuleta, but he stayed in the club after the DT's departure and this year he was in charge of the U-14 team.
Before coming to the country, "El Gato" Montesino left Huracán de Comodoro (Federal B) to accompany Zuleta in the "criollo" team. He remained in the club until he had this, his first opportunity as a first team coach.
In December, Montesino projected what his season would be like. In an interview with "La 100.1" in his hometown of Comodoro Rivadavia, the strategist stated that "I am going to be a first division coach in Ecuador. It is the country. I know it will be like this, in 2020 they will get to know Jorge Montesino the coach, and I will be able to demonstrate my ability (...) I know that my career as a coach will be in Ecuador, leading a first division team," he commented.
His journey on the technical bench began in 2007 as an assistant to Diego Cocca, a duo that can boast of an ascent with Defensa y Justicia in 2014 and the Argentine title with Racing de Avellaneda the following year.
Montesino was also in Mexico, as an assistant coach to Cocca and later as head coach of the U-20 team, that was in 2011.
In his first incursion as a coach in Ecuador, Montesino (55 years old) will be surrounded by the experience of two former figures of the "criollo" club: Édison Méndez as assistant coach and Johvani Ibarra in goalkeeping preparation. The physical trainer Luis Martínez completes the coaching staff.
Surprising change
Eduardo Lara's departure is somewhat surprising. President Lucía Vallecilla announced on Friday that the coach would return from Colombia in July, after a leave of absence he received in May for family matters.
Economic problems are part of the problem, with salaries owed to the team since March, even with the agreed salary reductions.
Without income, the club has not paid and Vallecilla was waiting for Monday to make decisions, once LigaPro announces how the payment for television rights will be, the only fixed item that clubs have during the pandemic.
"We are waiting to know about that issue because with that we will pay the pending salaries to workers and players," said the leader.
- 'Tirón de orejas' at El Nacional for lack of care during confinement
Without payments, on Friday the team did not work at their usual hours, and although Vallecilla ruled out a stoppage, on Saturday the club announced the departure of the Colombian, "with the deepest gratitude for his valuable services."
Lara barely managed six games with the "criollos," four in LigaPro with two victories, one draw, and one defeat, and two in the Copa Sudamericana with one defeat and one draw at home, which eliminated them in the first round.
Lara is the third coach to be fired during the slowdown of the tournament due to the pandemic, before it was Aucas and Olmedo who changed their strategists. (D)