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Ecuador’s World Cup qualifying campaign in 2022 began with a three-point deficit against Colombian-born Byron Castillo.
In the year They started the 2026 qualifiers under Felix Sanchez, who led them to three wins in six games before the former Qatar boss was fired in July 2024 after losing to Argentina in the Copa America quarter-finals.
South American football expert Tim Vickery told BBC Sport: “They lost on the field and after the game Sanchez was sent off in the dressing room.
They treat their trainers with great cruelty.
Bekas’ reign began with a 1-0 defeat to Brazil, but his side went 11 games unbeaten and qualified for the World Cup as second in South America – behind the Selecao.
That means they come into the tournament with high expectations and a 19 game unbeaten run.
But it was far from the start they or their supporters had hoped for.
Last breath He lost to Ivory Coast 1-0 They were then held to a humiliating goalless draw against debutants Curacao in the opener – which turned the fans against the manager.
“I’m very sorry that I didn’t do it in the heart of the Ecuadorian fan,” he said.
“For my fans who don’t know me, I think I totally click with them. There’s something about me that they don’t like and that’s fine.”
After not having a career of any note, Bekases earned honors as assistant to Jorge Sampaoli during Chile’s successful era a decade ago – helping them reach the 2014 World Cup and win their first Copa America title in 2015.
He was in charge of Spain’s Elche before joining Ecuador as Sampaoli’s assistant at the 2018 World Cup with Argentina.
Now, the 45-year-old player who managed to make a difference in the World Cup by orchestrating the transformation of Ecuador, has probably achieved the biggest success of his coaching career.
“We don’t think we’re in hell or we don’t think we’re in heaven,” he said after beating Germany.
“We have our feet on the ground and we feel and think in the right way.”
