Hernán Darío Gómez prepares to coach Panama in its debut in a World Cup, which will be on June 18 against Belgium. Meanwhile, in Ecuador, they mention Bolillo as the new coach of the national team after Russia 2018. Even the Colombian, in the ESPN network, acknowledged it: "I have spoken with Ecuadorian officials." In a conversation with this newspaper, Pedro Chaluja, the president of the Football Federation of his country, says that he knows Gómez has received several offers, but the intention is to renew him, although it may not be possible due to economic reasons. Chaluja will leave his position after the December elections.
Here it is mentioned that after the 2018 World Cup, Hernán Darío Gómez will be the new coach of Ecuador. What do you know about that?
I know that Coach Gómez is very focused on the World Cup. I know that he has heard proposals, many of them are desirable. But Bolillo has responded to those who have contacted him that he will finish his World Cup cycle with Panama first. Besides, he wants to evaluate whether he stays in Panama. It would be too soon for me to say what decision Gómez will make.
Does it affect Panama's preparation that he is one of the candidates that the FEF has in mind?
I don't think that if Bolillo talks to Ecuador it will affect Panama. With our team's qualification for the World Cup in Russia, Coach Gómez continues to improve his résumé as a coach. But I know the offers that may have come to him are interesting. Panama is a small country, with a very limited budget, unlike what happens in other countries. It will be very difficult to compete with federations from other parts of the world. That is our reality and we have to accept it.
Will the Panama Federation renew with Gómez?
Renewing the contract with the coach is within the possibilities. Bolillo knows the new generation of Panamanian soccer players. It would be beneficial to have him for the next competitions. But that is not my decision anymore, it is the Executive Committee of the Panama Federation. This is an election year and a new board will be elected, starting next December.
I cannot commit to saying that Bolillo will continue here because we also need the approval of the majority of the assembly of the organization.
Will you participate in the federation elections?
I will not continue. I have been in charge of the Federation since 2010 (two terms of four years each). Those of us who are part of the board are people linked to soccer and we work on a voluntary basis. We do not receive any kind of remuneration, it is a personal sacrifice. It is good that other colleagues, with great capacity and different perspectives, occupy this position so that soccer in Panama continues to grow.
Does your departure from the Panama Federation complicate Bolillo's continuity?
When I retire as president of the Panama Football Federation, if there were any contracts with any coach (including Gómez himself), that is a matter that will have to be conditioned to the election of the new board.
What does it mean for Panama to make its debut in a World Cup?
Reaching a World Cup is a great boost for the development of our soccer. There will be more private sector investment in the sport. There is more credibility and confidence to advance at the level of CONCACAF. Panama is in a new stage in soccer. (D)
494
Thousand dollars per year
According to Forbes magazine, that is the salary that Hernán Gómez receives from the Panamanian Federation. Carlos Villacís, who does not know if he will continue in the FEF in 2019, wants to hire him.
In Ecuador, I had more problems. I would say, 'Here are my 15 (selected players)', and then they would give me the list (the FEF's list). 'Here are the 25 (they would clarify)'. And why 25? My 15 and the 10 (that he had not called).
Hernán Gómez,
In radio Antena 2, Colombia, in 2012It is very possible that we will be invited to the 2019 Copa America, but at that time we will be in the Concacaf Gold Cup and we do not have two first-rate national teams. If we are invited, I don't think we should accept it.
Pedro Chaluja,
President of the Panama Federation