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Dudamel named new Venezuela coach

Xinhua, April 2, 2016 Adjust font size:

Former goalkeeper Rafael Dudamel was named as the new coach for Venezuela's national soccer team after former coach Noel Sanvicente's contract was terminated, the Venezuelan Football Federation (FVF) announced on Friday.

The FVF president Laureano Gonzalez said Sanvicente did not produce the expected results with the national squad.

"We decided on Dudamel because he knows Venezuelan soccer and due to his experience," said Gonzalez at a news conference from the FVF's headquarters.

The Venezuelan team needs someone "that knows our soccer and that has worn the jersey with honor," added the FVF president.

The new coach's contract will last until the end of the South American Football Confederation's qualifiers for the World Cup Russia 2018.

After the first six qualifiers, Sanvicente has left the team without hope as they lost five and drew one.

Dudamel, who was main goalkeeper for the national squad in the era when Richard Paez and Cesar Farias were coaches, will have the task of improving the team's performance.

The new coach previously led the Under-17 national squad to qualify for the World Cup in the United Arab Emirates in 2013.

Dudamel also played for various teams in Colombia such as Cali's America, Deportivo Cali, Millonarios and Santa Fe.

The new coach was also the first Venezuelan player ever to play in a Copa Libertadores de America final. Endit