Ipswich Town midfielder Marcelino Núñez’s controversial exit from the Chile squad now has another side to the story.
After days of reports about what happened behind the scenes, Nicolás Córdova has finally spoken publicly about the situation.
The Chile manager denies having an argument with Núñez and is adamant he didn’t send the player home.
Instead, he’s repeatedly put the responsibility for explaining what happened back on the Ipswich man – who has been fairly backed by his local peers.
“I didn’t kick him out”
Speaking ahead of Chile’s friendly against Mexico, Córdova was inevitably asked about Núñez.
La Tercera carry his comments, with the manager sticking closely to the official explanation of “personal reasons”.
“A lot of versions appeared. For a personal matter, he made the decision to leave the squad,” Córdova said.
“I found out the morning after the United States game, and we went to training. He trained and, on the way back, decided to stay so he could go to England, while we travelled here.”
Córdova says he only learned about the decision the following morning, despite reports in Chile detailing tensions between the pair.
He was then directly asked about the reported exchange which supposedly led to Núñez’s departure.
“That’s something you have to ask him. You don’t have to ask me,” Córdova replied. “It was his decision. It’s not that I kicked him out of the national team. It’s not that I had an argument with him.”
“He made that decision and, if an adult makes a decision, you have to accept it. My perception in this case doesn’t matter. He made a decision and I accept it because it’s the decision of an adult.”
Says Núñez will have to explain himself
Córdova wasn’t interested in offering his own explanation for why the Ipswich midfielder suddenly returned to England. Instead, he says that has to come from Núñez himself.
“I don’t have much more to add because it was a completely personal decision, determined by reasons that he will have to explain,” he said. “I don’t have to explain other people’s decisions.”
The manager did acknowledge the situation wasn’t exactly ideal.
“It’s not pleasant when a player leaves. We’re very clear about that.”
Once Núñez had gone, however, Córdova says his attention immediately returned to the players who remained with the squad. Chile still have Mexico to face in their final match of this international break.
In the end, that leaves two very different pictures of the same episode. Now the only person left to have his say is Marcelino himself.
