José Néstor Pékerman's successful story with the Colombia national team is more than remembered by public opinion in the country. After 16 years of absences from the World Cups, the Argentine coach once again put the 'Tricolor' in the eyes of the world with two consecutive qualifications: Brazil 2014, with its best participation in history (quarterfinals); and Russia 2018, advancing to the round of 16.
The first World Cup cycle did not give rise to negative reviews, as the 'Cafetero' team closed the qualifiers in second place with 30 units and was the top seed for the World Cup. However, in the second process, although it was more complicated in terms of performance, the 'Tricolor' secured its quota on Russian soil.
Beyond doubts about the level of the team, Colombia surpassed the group stage in first place after defeating Poland and Senegal. In the round of 16 she saw faces with England and ended up eliminated in the collections from the penalty point (4-3). Even in that match, Pékermen was criticized for the approach, since he came out with three brand flyers, unlike the two he usually used.
September will mark four years since that press conference in which the Argentine strategist announced his departure from the 'Tricolor'; and, even with the passage of time, several fans have expressed their sadness since then. The reasons that prompted Pékerman to leave office were kept an open secret.
Some managers of the Colombian Football Federation (FCF), who were in Pékerman's time and who are still there, spoke to the newspaper El Tiempo about the real cause behind his resignation: Pascual Lezcano, Pékerman businessman.
“The truth is that [Ramón] Jesurún and [Álvaro] González Alzate took Pékerman out, and they took him out for Pascual Lezcano,” said one of the sources. Apparently, Jesurún, president of the FCF, and González, vice-president of the same entity and who is in charge of the amateur branch (Difutbol), would not have seen with good eyes that Lezcano appropriated various logistical issues of the 'Tricolor'.
“Jesurún and González could not stand that Pascual was the one who imposed the guidelines for logistics, concentration, travel, hotels and access to the dressing room and the approach to the players,” said the leader.
According to the sources consulted by the newspaper, already in the Russian World Cup, the leaders of the Federation had decided to dismiss Pékerman from office: “Lezcano made that group very closed and that caused great discomfort to the managers, especially Jesurún and González, who, whatever it was, because they were the bosses. They didn't understand how a junior decided logistics, rallies, travel and gave them orders. That kept them very upset.”
Finally, the leader made one point clear: “The elimination of the World Cup was decisive: they found the excuse to justify Pékerman's departure.”
In February 2021, Pékerman delivered an interview to the Argentine media outlet, TNT Sports, in which he was asked why he left the direction of Colombia. One of the versions also pointed to 'a drawer' by some members inside the FCF: “I have no proof of that (that they would have made her bed). There are times when there are crises and it's like no one wants to grab anything. But there are times when things are good, you can see that there is potential, other desires begin to appear, other situations.”
This Tuesday, a new story will be written again between the Colombia national team and José Néstor Pékerman, who is now leading the Venezuelan national team. The 'Tricolor' reaches the last date of the qualifiers with the need to win a victory that will allow her to dream of qualifying for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. However, the same coach who took the 'Tricolor' to probably its most glorious stage, could also leave him empty-handed.
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