Esteban Paredes, the all-time leading scorer in Chile's First Division, backed Marco Antonio Figueroa as a candidate to coach the Chilean national team. During the same appearance, he categorically ruled out Jorge Sampaoli returning as national team coach.
The former striker spoke on Juega en Línea's Tipsters program, according to BioBioChile and ADN Radio. His proposed candidate was not among the names most frequently mentioned for the next campaign toward the 2030 World Cup.
"You need a coach with a strong personality. 'Fantasma' has personality, he's been coaching for a long time, he could be an option," the Colo Colo idol said, according to BioBioChile's account.
When asked about another stint under Sampaoli, 'Tanque' responded with a phrase that left no room for doubt: "Are you fucking kidding me?". ADN Radio transcribed it as "Are you fuck...?".
ADN Radio added some context. Before that response, Paredes gave his opinion on Gustavo Álvarez, saying, "I don't know if he'd be ideal for the national team." He added that he would go for a coach "with more experience, who has won the Libertadores, the Sudamericana." With that criterion on the table, he was asked about Sampaoli, who won the 2011 Copa Sudamericana with la U and the 2015 Copa América with Chile.
His ideal foreign option was Marcelo Gallardo, the Argentine coach who won two Copa Libertadores titles with River Plate. "He already has a national team (Ecuador), but I would have liked him to be here with us," he said, according to BioBioChile. ADN Radio quoted a shorter version: "I would have liked Gallardo, but he already has a team."
The National Professional Football Association (ANFP) has yet to decide who will replace Nicolás Córdova. Names being mentioned include Manuel Pellegrini, Gustavo Álvarez and Gustavo Quinteros.
According to ADN Radio, the decision will probably fall to the board elected in the upcoming ANFP elections. Before then, La Roja will close out the year with friendlies against Colombia, after finishing its North American tour.