The Colombian Soccer Federation (Fedefutbol) said former Paraguay coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino is the front-runner to replace Hernan Dario Gomez as Colombia’s coach, various media reported.
Coming just one day after the irrevocable resignation of Gomez, Jorge Perdomo, a member of Fedefutbol, announced that there is unanimous support to bring on Argentine-born Martino as the new coach.
Despite his $1 million price tag, Perdomo believes that Martino is well worth the price.
According to Terra news, Martino will visit Bogota on Tuesday or Wednesday to meet with Fedefutbol to discuss a possible deal.
On Monday, President Juan Manuel Santos weighed in on the national debate about Gomez’s replacement saying, “I believe the Soccer Federation should consider the possibility of contracting a foreign coach to introduce new blood and new ideas to the national team.”
Although Perdomo said “what the country favors most is to have a foreign coach,” he denied that Santos’ input had any weight in Fedefutbol’s interest in contracting outside the country.
Martino was the head coach of Paraguay, leading the national team to the finals of the 2011 Copa America and to the quarterfinals of the 2010 World Cup.
With the South American playoffs to qualify for the 2014 World Cup beginning in October 2011, Martino would have his work cut out for him should he be hired.
