University: Mayer Candelo confessed that he longs to lead the cream team, flattered Ricardo Gareca and referred to the classic against Alianza Lima

Mayer Candelo plays again in Peruvian football, but no longer as a footballer, but in his new facet: technical director. The Colombian, who had great talent as a player, confessed in a recent interview that he wishes to direct Universitario de Deportes at some point. In addition, he also flattered Ricardo Gareca and talked about the rout that the 'merengue' team received against Alianza Lima in Liga 1.

“I hope my path and that of University will come together again. I have a feeling and love for the club. Hopefully one day I can help the team play well with the claw it always had. Claw and good football. I know the team is going through a not-so-good time, but this is where we leave together and soon we will see our giant in the first place. Located where it deserves,” he commented in an interview with TV Peru Deportes.

The 'coffee grower' retired from the courts in 2019 and also had steps through Juan Aurich de Chiclayo and Cesar Vallejo de Trujillo.

At another time he referred to the strategist of the Peruvian national team: “I learned a lot from (Ricardo) Gareca at Universitario. He asked me why I watched him so much and I told him that I wanted to learn and that my dream was to be a DT. Hopefully one day I can lead the U.” Both coincided in the 2008 and 2009 seasons of the first division of Peruvian football.

Finally, he spoke of the hard defeat of the 'creams' at the Monumental stadium against their classic rival. “As another fan I felt sad because they made history with us. They beat us 4-1 in our house, something that had never happened. This classic makes anyone rumba and today it was up to him (Álvaro Gutiérrez) to leave”, he said.

Mayer Candelo is well remembered by the fans of Universitario de Deportes. He always showed good football and gave everything for the team, becoming champion of the 2009 Apertura Tournament with him as the main protagonist. He played a total of 86 matches and scored 16 goals, but his game and great panorama to enable his teammates with great assists made fans categorize him as an idol and always wish his return.

The now technician added his first experience a few years ago. In 2019, after retiring as a player, he joined the same club, Cortuluá from the second division of Colombia and fought for promotion as the team's strategist. Since that year he has not returned to direct and is waiting for a new experience.

THE 'U' IS PREPARING TO FACE BOYS

Universitario de Deportes will meet Sport Boys on Sunday, April 24 from 03:30pm (Peruvian time) at the Monumental de Ate stadium. Tickets were put on sale during the week and there are 2x1 promotions for fans. The 'rosados' have not beaten him since 2011 and there is a good chance that the 'creams' will add three new points to get into the Apertura Tournament fight again.

Jorge Araujo, who took over as interim coach after the departure of Álvaro Gutiérrez, worked with this eleven this week: José Carvallo; Aldo Corzo, Federico Alonso, Nelinho Quina, Iván Santillán; Jorge Murrugarra and Armando Alfageme, Piero Quispe; Andy Polo, Alberto Quintero and Alex Valera.

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