The success of the Peruvian national team: Fossati's paternalistic approach

The teaching manual implemented by coach Juan Reynoso has been a subject of analysis and reflection in the Peruvian football sphere. His paternalism towards some players, especially Christian Cueva, has sparked debate on whether this approach is positive or not for the national team. However, the results achieved so far indicate that this strategy has been key to the team's success. When Ricardo Gareca decided to include Christian Cueva in the Peruvian national team prior to the 2015 Copa America in Chile, many questioned his choice over Cristian Benavente, a more disciplined player. Nevertheless, this gamble proved to be successful, as Cueva became a cornerstone for the national team in subsequent competitions, such as the qualification for Russia 2018, the runner-up placement in the 2019 Copa America in Brazil, and the playoff for Qatar 2022. Similarly, Martin Fossati has followed this approach with players like Piero Quispe in Universitario, managing to enhance his performance and turn him into one of the top footballers in the Liga 1. This approach has also been applied to key figures like Paolo Guerrero and Carlos Zambrano, who have received the coach's support and trust during challenging moments in their careers. Fossati's paternalism is based on establishing a close relationship with the players, showing genuine interest in their personal and professional well-being. This strategy aims to strengthen the bond between the coach and the team, fostering unity and commitment from everyone towards the national team's success. Furthermore, Fossati's intention to bring back key players who had fallen off the national team's radar demonstrates his strategic approach and long-term vision. Ultimately, Fossati's teaching manual has proven to be effective thus far, yielding positive outcomes for the Peruvian national team. His paternalistic approach and his ability to enhance players' performance are aspects that have been crucial to the team's success in international competitions. With a clear vision and strong commitment, Fossati continues to work on building a solid and competitive team where each player feels valued and supported in their professional development.