BUENOS AIRES, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Ricardo Gareca has revealed he is in advanced talks with the Ecuadorian Football Federation (FEF) about the country's vacant head coaching role.
Ecuador have been searching for a new boss since December, when Gustavo Alfaro stepped down following the team's failure to reach the knockout stage of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
"We are in negotiations. I can't tell you that it's a done deal because we're still talking," the Argentine said in a local television interview. "I spoke with the president (Francisco Egas) and also with Gustavo Alfaro."
Gareca, 65, has been out of work since parting ways with Peru's national team in July. A former forward who was capped 27 times for Argentina, he led the Blanquirroja to 40 wins, 21 draws and 35 losses following his appointment in March 2015.
His biggest achievement was guiding Peru to the 2018 World Cup in Russia - the South American team's first appearance in football's showpiece tournament in 36 years.
Gareca added: "I think [the Ecuador discussions] are advanced but I don't know if it will materialize or not. It's the only offer I have right now. I have all the energy to manage a club or a national team." ■
