Video 1 min read

It still hurts my soul

It still hurts my soul
Photography by Shamil Tanna
Author
Tony Hodson
Published on
June 15 2020

Hernán Darío Gómez

Colombia, 1995-1998

"Don’t go out drinking, the atmosphere is very tense and something might happen”


Hernán Darío Gómez was assistant to Colombia manager Pacho Maturana at the World Cup in 1990 and 1994, before succeeding him as manager. Colombia's impressive qualification campaign for the latter competition – featuring  a momentous 5-0 victory over Argentina – meant expectations were high at USA '94. But after recording a solitary victory and finishing bottom of their group Colombia made an early exit.

Speaking exclusively to The Coaches' Voice, the former Panama head coach describes the atmosphere that greeted his team on their return home. He also recalls the moment he discovered one of his players had lost his life in an apparent revenge attack for his role in Colombia's World Cup failings.