Ecuadorian National Team Coach Félix Sánchez Departs After Copa América Defeat

The Ecuadorian Football Federation (FEF) announced the departure of the Spanish Félix Sánchez as coach of his country’s national team, after the defeat against Argentina in the quarter-finals of the Copa América.

“Today, the termination of the contractual relationship with technical director Félix Sánchez Bas has been agreed,” the Ecuadorian federation reported in a brief statement.

“We thank Felix and his coaching staff for their work and professionalism, and we wish them success in their future projects,” the statement concluded.

The announcement comes just after Ecuador put Lionel Messi’s Argentina on the ropes, drawing 1-1 in regulation time thanks to a late goal by Kevin Rodríguez.

In the penalty shootout, Messi missed the first shot but Ecuador did not take advantage of the opportunity and Emiliano ‘Dibu’ Martínez performed one of his miracles by saving two penalties at the NRG Stadium in Houston, United States.

“We are digesting the defeat, the balance is positive”Sanchez had told the press before announcing his departure. “We played against the toughest opponent and we have shown that the team can compete against everyone. I am happy with this group of players,” he added.

Sánchez, 48, took over as Ecuadorian coach at the beginning of 2023, after managing the Qatar national team that hosted the 2022 World Cup.

The coach, who came through the Barcelona youth ranks, was being heavily questioned by a section of the press and fans of the Tricolor, who are demanding better results in the face of his exciting new generation, in which youngsters such as Moisés Caicedo and Kendry Páez, recruited by Chelsea, and Piero Hincapié, from Bayer Leverkusen, are shining.

Ecuador is in fifth place in the South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup after the first six rounds.

The Copa América has already seen the resignation of the Jamaican coach, the Icelandic Heimir Hallgrímsson, and has left other coaches such as the Mexican Jaime Lozano and the American Gregg Berhalter very affected.

2024-07-05 10:36:50
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