Paraguay have fired manager Francisco 'Chiqui' Arce after a disastrous start to qualifying for the 2014 World Cup. There had been rumors that Arce would get the axe if Paraguay lost to Bolivia on Saturday and that is exactly what happened. Bolivia won, 3-1, and on Monday, Paraguayan Football Association president Juan Angel Napout confirmed that Arce is out as manager. No replacement for Arce has been named yet.
Struggling Paraguay Sack Manager Chiqui Arce
A disastrous start to World Cup qualifying has cost Chiqui Arce his job. No replacement has been named yet.
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Considering the way that Paraguay have started World Cup qualifying, it would be hard to justify keeper Arce. Paraguay currently find themselves on just four points from five matches and are second from the bottom in CONMEBOL qualifying. Most incredible is that they have allowed nine goals in those matches after building a reputation as one of the toughest teams in the region to score against.
Arce took over a team with high expectations. Under Gerardo Martinez, Paraguay qualified for the 2006 World Cup, finished one point from the top of 2010 World Cup qualifying and advanced to the quarterfinals in South Africa. The team then went all the way to the final at Copa America 2011.
Paraguay had established themselves as one of South America’s best under Martinez and that was supposed to continue under Arce, but it obviously hasn’t. They have been dreadful and Arce paid the price with his job.
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