Leonel Alvarez, the right-hand man of disgraced former Colombia soccer coach Hernan Dario Gomez, will assume control of the national team for the forthcoming friendlies with Honduras and Jamaica.
Alvarez was handed the position on a temporary basis after Argentine coach Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino turned down the chance to lead the Cafeteros, citing a lack of preparation time before the world cup qualifier playoffs.
Alvarez became the national team’s assistant coach after leading Independiente Medellin to the league title and was a trusted advisor to Gomez, who resigned after hitting a woman in a Bogota bar.
On Thursday, Alvarez announced an 18-man squad for the coming friendly tour in the U.S. The squad included 15 players based abroad, who play in the leagues of England, France, Italy, Spain, Germany and Argentina.
Colombia will meet Honduras at the Red Bull Arena in New Jersey on September 3rd and Jamaica at the Lockhart Stadium in Fort Lauderdale on the 6th.