BUENOS AIRES – Former Colombia and Argentina national team coach José Pékerman revealed he departed his post with the Colombian national team with “great sadness” and frustration, feeling unable too implement a long-term plan similar to the one that led Argentina to World Cup success.Pékerman made the comments during a recent interview, reflecting on his career and the potential for both Colombia and Argentina at the 2026 World Cup.
Pékerman highlighted the 2006 and 2014 World Cups with Argentina as career peaks, acknowledging 2018 as a near miss hampered by injuries. He expressed regret over not being able to fully execute his vision in Colombia, stating, “I think that in Colombia I left with great sadness, in the sense that I would have wanted to carry out a similar plan (to that of Argentina).Regrettably I got frustrated, because my eyes were set on the top and I have other ways and I think that there is still a lot of room for betterment.”
The Argentine coach believes Colombia needs stronger foundations, particularly in youth development, and greater collaboration among football stakeholders to achieve championship success. “Colombia has to be born there (youth categories), but with a very important agreement between the different protagonists of football…to achieve what people expect and that long-awaited title, some firmer foundations are needed,” he said.
Looking ahead to the 2026 World Cup, Pékerman expressed confidence in Argentina’s title contention and voiced his support for Colombia under current coach Néstor Lorenzo, stating, “I always have faith in them and even more so with Lorenzo.”
Pékerman, mentor to current Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni, left his position with Colombia following the 2018 World Cup amid reports of disagreements with FCF directors. Lorenzo,Pékerman’s former assistant,recently led Colombia to a Copa América final.