The search for a new leader
National teams manager Felipe Correa has made it clear that the deadline for appointing a new head coach for the Chilean national team is strictly tied to the start of the next official qualifying cycle. As reported by La Tercera, the federation does not intend to extend Nicolás Córdova’s interim tenure beyond the team's return to competitive play—a process Correa is managing meticulously from the Juan Pinto Durán training complex.
The director, who oversees technical planning and performance metrics using specialized data software, confirmed that finding a new manager is the organization's top priority. Within this framework, Manuel Pellegrini remains the primary candidate to lead the team toward the 2030 World Cup, with Correa serving as the main point of contact between the federation and the current Real Betis manager's camp.
Structural changes and the path ahead
This hiring process is intrinsically linked to a broader structural transformation within Chilean football. Correa explained that the transition must align with the administrative separation between the ANFP and the new Football Federation—a statutory change expected to progress this year, with a key turning point arriving during the board elections scheduled for November.
"The deadline for having our new coach in place is our next competitive match," Correa told La Tercera, underscoring the urgency of ending the interim period. He emphasized that, from an institutional standpoint, the technical structure must be finalized before official commitments begin, thereby avoiding any further prolongation of the current uncertainty.
Talent scouting and long-term planning
Regarding talent acquisition, Correa’s work extends beyond the coaching staff. The manager maintains an updated database of eligible players born abroad, highlighting the recent case of Swiss-Chilean player Nils Reichmuth, who joined training sessions under Nicolás Córdova’s supervision ahead of friendlies against Portugal and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Furthermore, the director has already begun coordinating new friendly matches in North America for the post-World Cup period, ensuring long-term planning remains on track despite the current vacancy in the head coaching position.
