The Uruguayan Gustavo Matosas is no longer at Estudiantes de La Plata. The coach resigned from the technical leadership of Pincha last night, after the defeat against Nacional de Paraguay that resulted in the elimination of the platense team from the Copa Sudamericana. His relationship with the players was not good.
Gabriel Heinze, when he was promoted with Argentinos. Estudiantes had agreed with him before hiring Matosas. (Photo: Marcelo Carroll).
The team will be led in today's practice in City Bell by Leandro "Chino" Benítez, who will be the coach against San Lorenzo, on Monday at 9:15 p.m., at the Quilmes stadium (the Estadio Único will be prepared for a concert). With president Juan Sebastián Verón leading the way, the Board of Directors is already searching for a new coach. The frontrunners are Gabriel Heinze (promoted to Primera with Argentinos Juniors) and Lucas Bernardi (last with Godoy Cruz de Mendoza).
"We didn't achieve the goal. We had hopes of reaching the final but we couldn't. It doesn't matter that the cycle is short, but nothing worked out. Football is a result," emphasized Matosas in Estudiantes' dressing room moments after the match with the Paraguayan team (0-1), at the Ciudad de La Plata.
Estudiantes lost to Nacional and said goodbye to the Copa Sudamericana
"It was all strange... There were several factors. We couldn't have a normal preseason due to the competition we had in the middle. Some players left, others had little vacation. The results didn't come. I don't like losing at anything. I didn't achieve the goal of advancing to the next round and it's best to take a different path," said the Uruguayan.
Leandro Desábato's striking exclusion at Estudiantes
Regarding the bad relationship with some members of the team and, specifically, the absence of veterans Leandro Desábato and Gastón Fernández, Matosas emphasized: "All decisions were for the good of the team, beyond the names. I had no problems with anyone."
Defensa y Justicia upset Estudiantes in La Plata and ended their unbeaten record
Finally, he reiterated that "this goal (advancing to the next round) was crucial for me. I wanted to win this cup. We did well at high altitudes (against Nacional de Potosí), but we have to recognize that this is simple. The goal wasn't achieved."
