The Perpetual Crisis of Peruvian Football: A Cycle of Failure and the Need for Reinvention
Peruvian football has long been trapped in a cycle of failure, with its youth teams consistently underperforming and its management structures mired in controversy. Names like Luis Roth, Gustavo Ferrín, and Juan Carlos Oblitas are synonymous with disappointment, having once directed youth teams that failed to meet expectations and were later repudiated by fans and journalists alike.
The exceptions to this rule are few and far between. Jorge Orth, the architect of Peru’s runner-up finish in the 1958 South american Championship, and Juan José Oré, who not only achieved sports success with the sub 17 team but also turned the ‘jotitas’ into a cultural phenomenon, stand as rare beacons of hope. However, their successes remain outliers in a history dominated by failure.
“Failure, with its small nuances, has been a constant. We have never been relevant. Our very few successes have been the exception to the rule,” the article states. After every tournament, the reaction is predictable: the coach is fired, and the players are blamed. Meanwhile, the managers, more concerned with retaining their positions, either issue half-hearted apologies or distract the public with sensational news, such as the unfounded rumors of José Pekerman taking over the Peruvian Football Federation (FPF).
So, how does Peruvian football break this toxic cycle? the solution, according to the article, is simple yet radical: ”Peruvian football needs to be refused. It is time of control-alt-oflate and start over.” This begins with the resignation of the current Federation Directive. In the real world, no company would tolerate directors with such a track record of mistakes. The Federation must be restructured as a modern corporation, with clear rules, professionalism, and absolute transparency.
Clubs, too, must be held accountable. “If they do not have training fields, adequate medical and nutrition service, they do not deserve to participate in a professional tournament,” the article argues. The idea of reducing the league to 12 teams, if necessary, is presented as a viable option to ensure quality over quantity.
The role of coaches has also been misunderstood. “Chemo was wrong to believe that touring the country in search of talents were going to improve things. The training of players is the task of the clubs. The coach is just that: a coach.” in Peru, the pool of eligible players is limited becuase only a handful of clubs operate effectively.
At the heart of the issue is power.”Living on the football planet is very seductive.Those who enter do not want to get out of there,” the article explains.The allure of travel, per diems, and other perks has created a system where those in charge are more focused on maintaining their power than on the long-term growth of Peruvian football.
| key issues in Peruvian Football | proposed Solutions |
|————————————-|————————|
| Ineffective youth team management | Resignation of Federation Directive |
| Lack of club infrastructure | Mandatory standards for professional clubs |
| Misaligned coaching roles | Focus on club-level player development |
| Power struggles within the Federation | Restructure as a modern corporation |
The path forward is clear: Peruvian football must undergo a complete overhaul. Only by addressing these systemic issues can the nation hope to break free from its cycle of failure and reclaim its place on the global stage.
The Perpetual Crisis of Peruvian Football: A Cycle of Failure and the Need for Reinvention
Table of Contents
peruvian football has long been trapped in a cycle of failure, with its youth teams consistently underperforming and its management structures mired in controversy. Names like Luis Roth, Gustavo Ferrín, and Juan Carlos Oblitas are synonymous with disappointment, having once directed youth teams that failed to meet expectations and were later repudiated by fans and journalists alike. In this interview, we sit down with football strategist Alejandro Torres to discuss the systemic issues plaguing Peruvian football and the radical solutions needed to break this toxic cycle.
The Role of Youth Team management
Senior Editor: Alejandro, let’s start with the youth teams. Why have they consistently underperformed, and what needs to change?
Alejandro Torres: The issue lies in the ineffective management of these teams.Too often, decisions are made based on short-term gains rather than long-term advancement. Managers like Luis Roth and Juan Carlos Oblitas focused on immediate results rather than nurturing talent. What’s needed is a complete overhaul of the system, starting with the resignation of the current Federation Directive. Only with fresh leadership can we implement a structured, professional approach to youth development.
Club Infrastructure and Accountability
Senior Editor: The article mentions the lack of club infrastructure as a major problem. How critical is this to the overall state of Peruvian football?
Alejandro Torres: It’s absolutely critical. Clubs are the backbone of any football system.If they lack basic facilities like training fields, medical services, and nutrition programs, they cannot develop players effectively. The proposal to reduce the league to 12 teams is a viable solution—fewer teams mean higher standards. Clubs must be held accountable; if they can’t meet professional standards, they shouldn’t compete at that level.
Misaligned Coaching Roles
Senior Editor: There’s been a lot of debate around the role of coaches in Peru. what’s your take on their responsibilities?
Alejandro Torres: The role of coaches has been misunderstood for years. As a notable example, Chemo del Solar believed scouting for talent across the contry would solve the problem, but that’s not a coach’s job. Coaches are there to coach—not to act as talent scouts. Player development should happen at the club level. If only a handful of clubs are functioning effectively, the national team will always struggle to find quality players.
Power Struggles Within the Federation
senior Editor: The article highlights power struggles within the Federation as a core issue. How does this affect Peruvian football’s growth?
Alejandro Torres: It’s a major roadblock. The allure of perks like travel and per diems has created a system where those in charge are more focused on maintaining their power than on the sport’s growth.The Federation must be restructured as a modern corporation, with clear rules, transparency, and professionalism. until that happens, the same cycle of failure will persist.
Conclusion: A Path Forward
Senior Editor: What’s the one key takeaway you’d like our readers to remember?
Alejandro Torres: Peruvian football needs a complete reinvention. It’s time to start over—beginning with new leadership, higher standards for clubs, and a clear focus on player development. Only by addressing these systemic issues can we hope to break free from this cycle of failure and reclaim our place on the global stage.
