Juan Reynoso and the shadow of Gareca

We will not make firewood from the fallen tree, but at CARETAS we were already noticing what Juan Reynoso was doing in command of Blanquirroja: he was breaking it down, worse: he was breaking down its greatest virtue: the emotional dimension that allowed him to stand out in other eliminatory processes, even in critical stretches like those of the present, such as the absence of players in good times.

Since taking over the leadership of the team, Reynoso has played 11 games. From his first (friendly) match against Mexico to the one played in the qualifiers on Thursday 10/12 against Chile, the coach has experimented with strategies that expand his defensive dimension, that is, all the variants exercised have not been unrelated to “not losing.” and beyond some sparks of dynamic understanding, what he showed in the defeat against Chile is an obvious consequence of the informality of all his approaches.

We do not question his ability about Reynoso, because that is not where he goes. The Blanquirroja’s current situation does not come from its approaches, but from the pressure of the shadow of Ricardo Gareca, who left a group of players aligned in a game idea. When Gareca stopped belonging to the FPF, one of the main candidates to succeed him was Reynoso, who could lead a generational change while still fighting for one of the six direct places for the 2026 Soccer World Cup.

His election was not criticized, on the contrary, his appointment was the guarantee that a serious eliminatory process could be carried out despite the serious institutional situation of the FPF commanded by Agustín Lozano. The route was marked and Reynoso decided not to reinforce it, but instead dynamited it until he lost the respect of the players.

Strange decisions perceived by those selected and by everyone with brains: calling Ascues, having Jaime Serna on the bench (after the defeats received with the Sub 20 he lost legitimacy of being in any technical selection team (in the Gareca era , the players saw Solano, the one with the greatest goals in the Premier League), giving false versions about the players’ positions (Ruidíaz in Brazil’s goal in Lima) and being denied, changing the players’ positions, taking away their potential, etc. Too much clumsiness in the midst of an emergency: although we do not have many top forwards, we have the human material to try for a direct qualification to the next World Cup.

At CARETAS we have influenced the personality of the Peruvian soccer player, who has to be treated at the limit of trust and respect. This aspect was fulfilled by Gareca, because even in his most controversial decisions, he maintained a game criterion that did not affect the group dynamics. With Gareca, the mid-performance player in his club promoted him as soon as he was called up (let’s not forget it).

Therefore, it is surprising that, having been a footballer, Reynoso has not been able to commit to the group. What happened in Chile is irrefutable proof. Those Chilean goals, by Diego Valdés and Marcos López’s own goal, revealed a unfocused defense, with a lack of coordination: did they train well?

Reynoso wanted to impose his personality, when it was not necessary to do so, but rather—we emphasize—build on what he received. He wanted to erase Gareca when the most important thing was the points for the World Cup. While the note is being written, Peru is below Paraguay and above Bolivia. That is the data that supports the success and failure of any coach.

That is why his departure is requested. La Blanquirroja is not for testing: it must be played based on our older players. There are six direct places and one playoff. Of course you can fight, but not under Reynoso’s indefinite scheme. There’s no more. Let’s not burn the new ones.

Many expect that Argentina, this Tuesday 10/17, will play against the national team. It is very probable. But tradition also plays a role and in honor of it it should be indicated that Blanquirroja can put up a fight. Whatever the result, whether Peru wins, draws or loses, Reynoso must step aside. It is up to Reynoso not to overcome Chemo del Solar’s disastrous qualifying campaign. The data rules.

(Matias Reyes).