Nacional sack coach after seven matches
Reuters - Wednesday 13 October 2010, 01:15
MONTEVIDEO, Oct 12 (Reuters) - Former Uruguay coach Juan
Ramon Carrasco, a football romantic who espouses all out attack,
was appointed coach of struggling giants Nacional on Tuesday.
Nacional, one of Uruguay's "Big Two" clubs with arch-rivals
Penarol, sacked Luis Gonzalez after Sunday's 4-1 defeat by
Cerro left them in ninth place with nine points from seven
matches.
"(Thank you to) those who like me (and) also those who
don't because we're all going to be in this together," Carrasco
told reporters. "We have all the strength to take on this
challenge which is complex but which we're qualified to turn
around and leave Nacional at the top.
Carrasco, a former Nacional player is strongly identified
with the club and wore their white shirt at his media
conference.
"I promise work, seriousness, professionalism and what
everyone already knows which is an ambitious footballing idea
looking to win and score goals," said the former attacking
midfielder.
Gonzalez, appointed in July during the off-season, lasted
seven matches including two wins and two defeats. Nacional are
five points behind joint leaders Penarol, Wanderers and El
Tanque Sisley.
Nacional, 42 times Uruguayan title winners, have been
crowned South American and world club champions three times in
1971, 1980 and 1988.
Carrasco, 54, was in charge of the Uruguay team between
2003 and 2004, playing an attractive attacking game that
delighted fans but often with serious defensive frailties.
He lost the Uruguay the job after a 3-0 home defeat by
Venezuela, traditionally the weakest of the 10 nations in South
America, in a 2006 World Cup qualifier.
Carrasco, who also played for Argentina's River Plate and
Racing Club, last coached Uruguay's River Plate until last
season, steering them to the 2007/08 championship finals.