The Rafael Dudamel era ends at Deportivo Cali. The Venezuelan coach reached an agreement to end his relationship with the Valle del Cauca team, after the poor results in the League and Copa Sudamericana and after the controversial statement about Ítalo Montaño. The relationship with the board was already worn out.
“The Deportivo Cali Association informs its associates, fans, the media and public opinion in general, which in mutual agreement with Professor Rafael Dudamel, As of the date, his employment contract with our institution is terminated”, highlighted the official statement from Deportivo Cali.
The Venezuelan coach says goodbye with a title from Deportivo Cali. In December 2021 he won the tenth star after beating Deportes Tolima, however, everything changed in the first half of 2022 where they were penultimate in the all against all with only four wins, six draws and 10 losses for a total of 28 points.
Deportivo Cali played in the League, Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana, Dudamel’s performance in the Valle del Cauca team was 31.24% in all competitions. Teo Gutiérrez, one of the club’s referents, praised the Venezuelan’s work. “Thank you for guiding Deportivo Cali to the 10. An excellent human being and coach,” said the experienced player.
Tie with Melgar and controversial statement about Italo
In the last match of the era Dudamel, a Cali without ideas was seen in Palmaseca and with very little ambition. Melgar looked better in the 90 minutes. The fans got desperate and the team came out whistled at the end. The international tournament is the main objective to save a very complicated semester.
In addition to the poor results, the statement at the press conference about Ítalo Montaño was not liked by the board. The coach confessed that he never asked the player for the second semester. “I didn’t ask for it. Before, decisions of that type were made in a consensual way, ”she highlighted.
Now the board of directors will meet again to analyze the coaches that could arrive. Mayer Candelo would be one of the great favorites, The DT had a good time in Cortuluá and also knows the club very well. The other candidates would be: Harold Rivera, Pedro Sarmiento and Cristian Nasuti.
