HEREDIA, Costa Rica– New Herediano Head Coach Paulo Wanchope is embracing the challenge of leading the Costa Rican club to the 2018 Scotiabank Concacaf League championship.
Wanchope was introduced on Friday as the new man in charge of the Tico outfit and outlined his hopes for Herediano in the SCL, beginning with this week’s semifinal first leg versus Arabe Unido of Panama.
“There is not a lot to analyze, this club is accustomed to fighting for everything,” said Wanchope in his introductory press conference.
“In that we are the only [Costa Rican] club alive in Concacaf and we are going to fight for that title and the domestic championship,” added Wanchope.
As a player, Wanchope started his professional career at Herediano and previously managed the club from 2008-09. Now in his second spell in Heredia, Wanchope hopes to deliver a first-ever Concacaf title to the club.
“It is a dream to give that title to Herediano, that international part. With [assistant coach] don Luis Fallas, we are going to give our all to return to the international level,” said Wanchope.
In addition to Herediano’s Concacaf aspirations, the club is seeking a 27thdomestic title in Costa Rica’s Liga Nacional. Currently third in the Costa Rican table with a 5W-3D-2L record, eight points behind league leaders Deportivo Saprissa, Wanchope knows there is plenty of work ahead for his team.
“We are going to fight for results to seek the title. The club has always played good football,” concluded Wanchope.