Former Chile international Reinaldo Navia again criticized Nicolás Córdova, coach of the Chilean national team, and said the coach had messaged him on WhatsApp to complain about his criticism, according to La Tercera. The former striker made the comments in an interview with the program Todo Balón after the latest FIFA international window.
During that international window, Chile played friendlies against Canada, the United States and Mexico. Córdova faced criticism for the way he spoke about his players at postmatch press conferences. According to the outlet, one consequence was Marcelino Núñez's removal from the squad.
Navia's complaint centers on a comment by the coach. "He says Chilean football is not prepared to compete at high levels," said Choro, recalling that Córdova had already said this in another interview.
That was where the message came in. Navia recounted that he had "gone after" the coach "a bit" and that, days later, Córdova wrote to him: "Hey, Choro, you're really criticizing me. If you knew what goes on in Chilean football." The former player said he had spoken "with no ill intent" and replied: "But Nico, you can't say that either."
For Navia, the problem lies in the message the players receive. "You're saying we're mediocre, that we don't have what it takes, that we're basically bad," he said. He was also bothered that, after those remarks, the players themselves came out in defense of the coach.
The former striker recalled his time with the national team to explain how he would have reacted. He said he had confronted Nelson "Pelado" Acosta, Chile's former coach, and Reinaldo Sánchez when he was president. "If I hear what Nico is saying, I go and confront him. It doesn't matter whether he drops me from the national team or not," he said.
According to Navia, a player needs "motivation and a pep talk" from his coach. If the coach criticizes him, he loses credibility: "If this guy is tearing me apart, why would I put myself on the line for him?"
Navia ended by criticizing Córdova's career. He acknowledged that the coach had built his career in Europe and has a "European mentality." He added that "he didn't play for big clubs either" and was not "a particularly outstanding player at national team level." La Tercera's article does not include a response from Córdova or the federation.
Córdova has spent 15 months as Chile's interim coach. The Football Federation of Chile will have to choose a permanent coach. FIFA has also stipulated that whoever wins the ANFP (National Professional Football Association) election on November 19 will administer only the league, with no say in the national team.
