After reviewing 5 finalists, the Costa Rican Football Federation named this week Hernan Medford as the new head coach of the national team for the eliminatories of the South Africa World Cup 2010.

Medford was hired as Saprissa’s head coach in 2003 by new owner Jorge Vergara. At that time Medford had recently retired as a player and had no coaching experience. Medford took to the coaching position like a pelican to diving and won two National Championships (2003-2004 y 2005-2006), one Central American Cup (2004) and one CONCACAF championship (2005).  Under his direction, Saprissa also placed 3rd in the FIFA Club World Cup last December (with 23 victories and a loss to English powerhouse Liverpool).

Medford took the position on the condition that he would be able to work his way. In the press conference naming him as coach, he vowed to work hard to win the World Cup in 2010.  “I want to be world champion with the Tricolor and in order to achieve that we must change: executives, players, coaches and the sports press.”

Medford went on to say, ” I am not a slouch, I set high goals and I want to fight in order reach the podium in a World Cup. I don’t know if I will make it, but if I set low goals for myself, then it would be enough just to go to South Africa. But this country deserves better. ”

One of the first new wrinkles for outspoken coach was the initiative to work once a week with the national team.  “I will concentrate on tactical preparation, since the rest the players do in their clubs. “  This work will begin in January and the Tricolor will not play any games prior to that time. And the new coach left no doubt as to who is the boss: “I will be the one who decides who gets the call, how the team will play and what games the team will play.”

Novedad

Medford anunció que a partir del próximo año trabajará una vez a la semana con los jugadores de la Selección Nacional

Local analysts and commentators are pleased with the decision.