Carlos Queiroz's assistant uncovered the truth behind Ecuador's 6-1 win against Colombia

At the end of February, a letter from Carlos Queiroz was released in which he broke the silence on the reasons that triggered his departure as coach of the Colombia national team. Álvaro González Alzate, member of the Executive Committee of the Colombian Football Federation (FCF), stoked the controversy after assuring that the Portuguese coach had resigned on account of the two routs, against Uruguay and Ecuador, in the 2022 Qatar World Cup qualifiers.

However, the European strategist denied this version: “I have never submitted a request for resignation,” he said then in the letter published by the newspaper Marca Claro. In addition, in his defense, Queiroz argued that it was González Alzate who encouraged his removal, since the compensation documents that the FCF “asked him to sign” are proof of this.

The controversy had a new chapter recently, as González Alzate gave an interview to Win Sports in which he assured that he was only responsible for communicating the position transmitted to them by Ramón Jesurún, president of the FCF.

After the fall against the 'Tri' team, different versions pointed to alleged fights within the Colombian national team involving, for example, James Rodríguez and Luis Fernando Muriel. However, the latter argued a few months ago that this was not true: “We are always together. We've known each other since we were 18. The relationship goes beyond the National Team,” he added.

In addition to these statements, the former Spanish goalkeeper, Ricardo López, who was part of Carlos Queiroz's coaching staff in the 'Tricolor', recently spoke with Noticias RCN about what happened in the dressing room after the rout against Ecuador. One of the first topics he talked about was the warmth of the squad at all times.

“I saw an exceptional atmosphere, really. The players themselves did group therapy. They sat at the table playing games with each other while waiting for the bus. I was perplexed by the good atmosphere there was,” he said.

Regarding the bulky 6-1 in Quito, Lopez said that, as expected, the players were very affected: “After the game everything was desolation, and that is normal. The team was strong to face that match, in fact, we started very well and reached the opposite area, but Ecuador's effectiveness was incredible.”

“Queiroz addressed the group and thanked him, but Mario Yepes, as sports director, delivered some words that seemed relevant to me. He said that this result can never be forgotten, because all of us who were there knew that we had inflicted a very important defeat, but that we were going to have a revenge. The integrity of the players and the entire coaching staff... the atmosphere that was created was very dynamic”, said the member of the coaching staff.

Finally, the Spanish exporter pointed out that the departure of the coaching staff could occur, since “when two results of this type occur in such a powerful selection it entails consequences”. However, he made it clear that the intention of both Queiroz and his collaborators was not to leave office. That decision came from the board of directors.

“The truth is that the president of the Colombian Federation was the one who quoted Carlos Queiroz and told him that he wanted to make a change in the national team. All this came after the 6-1 loss against Ecuador and it is clear that the president consulted with his assistants and made the decision, which was theirs,” he concluded.

Let us remember that the Colombian team will face the last double day of qualifying in the coming days in the hope of qualifying for the World Cup in Qatar. First it will be measured this Thursday, March 24 against Bolivia, at the Metropolitano Stadium in Barranquilla; and then it will do the same against Venezuela, but as a visitor (March 29).

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