Jose Pekerman has enjoyed success as Colombia coach, but he will never be forgiven in his homeland for his suspect substitutions as Argentina lost to Germany in 2006.
Jose Pekerman was speaking ahead of Colombia's game against Greece in Belo Horizonte at last year's World Cup when a journalist reminded him he had described Lionel Messi as "a blessing for Argentine football" in 2005. "Thanks for remembering that," he replied. "Because most people only remember that I left him on the bench against Germany!"
He was right. Whatever Pekerman goes on to achieve in the game, football fans in his homeland will always look back on that day at the 2006 World Cup when his suspect substitutions arguably cost the Albiceleste a place in the semifinals and possibly a third title in football's greatest competition.