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Uruguayan coach Munua says goodbye to Nacional

Xinhua, June 9, 2016 Adjust font size:

Uruguayan coach Gustavo Munua announced his resignation from local soccer club Nacional on Wednesday, after losing support from the team which was far from winning any local titles this season.

"With the President (of Nacional, Jose Luis Rodriguez), we are going down separate paths. He told me what we were doing at international level seemed good but at local level he had serious doubts," Munua told local radio channel Sport 890.

Nacional were eliminated in the quarter-finals of the Copa Libertadores de America in penalty shootouts against Argentinian side Boca Juniors. In the local league, the team missed several opportunities to catch up with their main rival, Penarol, who will play the league final against Plaza Colonia on Sunday.

"Everything takes time and we were very close to being successful in the first year but unfortunately we couldn't manage it. We had the way clearly marked to reach this success that we wanted," said the 38-year-old Munua.

While talking about his first job as a coach at the Uruguayan club which he started mid-2015 after retiring as a player, Munua said it was clear he had "successes and mistakes."

"It was very difficult for me and for all the coaching staff because we have great affection and respect for this team and for how we have transmitted responsibility, sacrifice, dedication and commitment over this year," said Munua referring to saying goodbye to the players.

Nacional's past successes include being three-times-champions of Copa Libertadores de America (1971, 1980 and 1988). Endit