| | Reuters
BOGOTA, Colombia -- Veteran midfielder Carlos
Valderrama, who last week decided against an international
comeback at the age of 38, said on Monday that he wants to coach
his country's national team.
"My objective is to be coach of the Colombian team," he
said in a weekly column for the Todogol Spanish language Web
site.
"I enjoy a challenge, but one cannot reach this post
without adequate preparation and credentials. I have to prepare
myself for this, I have to get myself qualified, and I'm going
to do it when I stop playing."
Valderrama made it clear it was unhappy with present coach
Luis Garcia, under whom Colombia have adopted a defensive style
which has produced results but few admirers.
"I believe that in these moments, the coach keeps his job
thanks to the results he has obtained," Valderrama said. "This is dangerous because
when the defeats begin, he will be under pressure to go and he
won't have any justification for staying on."
Valderrama, who announced his international retirement after
the 1998 World Cup, briefly pondered a comeback last month
because he said he was disillusioned with Colombia's recent
performances.
"I decided to retire (in the first place) because I though
it was the right moment for a renovation of my country's
football," he said.
Valderrama named four candidates to take over his mantle as
the national team's playmaker -- Neider Morantes, Geovany
Hernandez, Arley Betancourt and Mayer Candelo. "Time will tell
whether they are capable of assuming the responsibility, " he
said.
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