After leading Costa Rica to a historic run in the 2014 World Cup, head coach Jorge Luis Pinto has decided to step down after failing to reach an agreement with the Costa Rican federation.
That, however, is the clean version.
In his parting press conference, Pinto was vocal about the infighting among the coaching ranks. "I had to fight, correct and attract attention, most of the time alone," he said (via Everardoherrera). "Some of the members of my coaching staff didn't like my style. I've had differences with them. I want dedication and commitment."
"One member of my coaching staff asked the federation president [Eduardo Li] to fire me a year and a half ago," Pinto added. "I lasted a year and a half suffering. Like they say in the movies, I was 'sleeping with the enemy.' I told the president that if I couldn't select my coaching staff, I cannot continue. I felt alone in this fight. That's why I'm leaving, because of my coaching staff."
Pinto's scathing words immediately turned the attention to his assistants, Jose Marin and Paulo Wanchope. If one was responsible for Pinto's departure, which one was the culprit?
Immediate speculation led to Wanchope. The former striker, though a legend in Costa Rica, did play the majority of his career in Europe, which would lead to a conflict in philosophies. Not to mention, Pinto and Marin's relationship date as far back as 2002 in Liga Deportiva Alajuelense. Marin featured as a center-back during the club's championship campaign.
Wanchope erased all doubts with his statements addressing the ill-natured divorce.
"If there was something that I didn't agree with, I told him," he told Repretel (via Everardoherrera). "I have a very clear conscience because I looked him in the eyes. I told him everything and if he didn't like it, in that moment, he should've talked to the Board of Directors and tell them that 'Paulo wasn't working for him,' not say that he was sleeping with the enemy for a year and a half."
"He didn't have the courage, nor the bravery to name names."
Federation President Eduardo Li had his turn to respond, telling Colombian radio (via Everardoherrera): "Pinto made everything a mess. Nobody was worthy but him. Players complained about him, that he was a rebel, but we have an agreement. We agreed to leave the door open [for his return]."
Mi opinión respecto a la salida del Profesor Pinto pic.twitter.com/iQqsr9Doce
— Álvaro Saborío (@al_saborio) July 25, 2014
In the aftermath, as many as three members of the national team have come out to share their gratitude for Pinto's achievements during the 2014 World Cup, but also in support of the federation's decision. Team captain Bryan Ruiz was the most vocal (via his official website), claiming that the "relationship off the pitch began to wear" and the complex environment wasn't "healthy for the the group."
Buenas tardes a todos, quisiera aclarar lo siguiente: pic.twitter.com/dtvd0IYPzy — Celso Borges (@CelsoBorgesCR) July 25, 2014
For Costa Rica, the attention now turns to the future and the post-Pinto era. Building on the foundation laid in Brazil cannot be derailed because of one ill-natured divorce.
Did Costa Rica make the correct decision parting ways with Jorge Luis Pinto? Leave a comment below or tell us @SportsWN.
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