Victory by 2-1 over Deportivo Cali marked Melgar's first qualification to the quarterfinals of the Copa Sudamericana, but it also represented the last match of Nestor Lorenzo, who left the Dominó bench to take over as the new coach of the Colombian national team.
Although a few days ago it was announced that Pablo Lavallén will take the reins of the Arequipa team for the Torneo Clausura and the final stretch of the international tournament, the club's administrator revealed that the option of Juan Reynoso was considered; however, it was discarded for a peculiar reason.
“Juan Reynoso is very close to the club, but the reality he has today is much higher than Peruvian football. He is ready to coach in leagues bigger than the Peruvian one,” said Ricardo Bettocchi in an interview with RPP Deportes.
The Peruvian strategist won the championship with Cruz Azul after 23 years. Photo: Cruz Azul
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The leader also emphasized Lorenzo's participation in the selection of the new coach. "Néstor Lorenzo helped us evaluate the new coach. He spoke highly of Lavallén, and that allowed us to close what we wanted as a coaching profile," he pointed out.
When will Pablo Lavallén debut in Melgar?
The new coach of Melgar will make his debut on the bench on Sunday, July 10th against Carlos Mannuci in the first round of the Clausura in the Liga 1. On the other hand, in early August, he will face Internacional de Porto Alegre in the quarterfinals of the Copa Sudamericana.