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‘Pocho’ Dulanto: "Reynoso danced saya and I resigned a contract of over one million dollars"
"We want to find a coach with a more offensive style of football, spending more time in the opponent's field than ours. That's the profile we're looking for," said José Bellina, sports director of Alianza Lima, in September of last year, when the departure of Argentine Carlos Bustos from the position was consummated. Almost a year has passed since then, but those words become relevant now due to the context of the blanquiazul team. And the thinking hasn't changed much. In fact, the profile of the next coach is based on the offensive playing proposal, but it also adds something that was missing with 'Chicho' Salas: the necessary experience to fulfill that role.
So, an offensive-minded coach who successfully combines his playing style with effectiveness is not enough to be the coach of Alianza Lima. It's not sufficient. Much more is needed. Based on the team's current situation, where they haven't won in three consecutive matches, a coach is also needed who can convince the team with his discourse and motivate them as Salas did in his time. That change of mindset is urgent because it would mean a starting point for the new process. And there are many cases like that. You just have to look across the street, where Jorge Fossati took charge of Universitario and straightened the path left by Carlos Compagnucci. He came in with a new discourse, convinced his players, and individually enhanced them. Today, the 'U' has the stamp of the Uruguayan and wins, draws, or loses under that same stamp.
The difference, of course, lies in the trajectory of each coach. Salas' numbers are impressive and few coaches in the world have achieved what he did in less than a year. However, he lacks the trajectory that his colleague has, a coach who has directed national teams and won international titles in his time. And that trajectory is earned over the years, something that Salas lacked since he took over the position replacing Bustos. 'Chicho' did well, he left his mark on Alianza Lima last year, but now he lost it and the team needs a new fresh approach, a coach with a renewed discourse and an experienced curriculum.
The blanquiazules have the best squad in Peruvian football, with individuals who excel and win matches. But that doesn't guarantee success at the end of the year. It is necessary to unite that individual talent into the collective. And there, the next coach has a task to fulfill. Whoever takes on the coaching role at Alianza Lima will have one of the most difficult challenges not only because of what it means to lead one of the biggest clubs in Peru but also because of what is at stake. The tricampeonato is the only goal they have in Matute. Failing to achieve it would be a sporting failure. Now, they still have time to correct and make decisions for what is to come. They cannot afford to make mistakes in choosing the coach.
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