Bolillo Gomez begins 2nd stint as Ecuador coach

Guayaquil (Ecuador) : Hernan "Bolillo" Gomez was presented as the new coach of the Ecuador national football team, a position he currently holds for the second time.

"United we will get ahead," Gomez said here on Wednesday.

"United we are stronger and things are accomplished when there is union, love, a sense of belonging and when good people come together."

The veteran Colombian coach's particular way of rallying and motivating the troops may be the recipe Ecuador has been looking for after failing to qualify for the 2018 World Cup, reports EFE news agency.

Bolillo, who guided Ecuador to their first-ever World Cup appearance in 2002, said that he felt very happy to be back home, adding that he has a special affection for Ecuadorians anywhere in the world he encounters them.

Ecuadorian Soccer Federation (FEF) president Carlos Villacis said that the new coach is an honorary Ecuadorian and that his "heart remained permeated with huge love" for the team.

"Hernan is coming back home to his national team with more experience in play-offs and world cups," Villacis said, adding that he is confident that Gomez will put it at the service of Ecuador and its national team.

Gomez rejoins Ecuador after helping Panama qualify for their first World Cup, and Colombia reached the tournament with him at the helm in 1998.

That makes him second among coaches only to Frenchman Henri Michel, who led four different teams to the World Cup.

But while some applaud Gomez's return to Ecuador, others point to Panama's performance at the World Cup in Russia, where they suffered a 6-1 loss to England on the way to being eliminated in the group stage.