Chile Head Coach: Nunez Exit Purely a Personal Decision
Tuesday, 6th Oct 2026 18:00
Chile’s interim-head coach Nicolas Cordova says Marcelino Nunez’s decision to return to leave his squad and return to England was entirely down to the Blues midfielder.
Nunez left the Chilean squad midway through their North American tour, reportedly having been angered that he had been left on the bench for the entirety of the 4-2 defeat to the US and comments Cordova had previously made about the squad following their 1-0 defeat in Canada, a game in which the 26-year-old had played the first 52 minutes.
Further to that, there were reports of a confrontation with teammates in a squad meeting with Nunez close to coming to blows with Lucas Cepeda, who plays in La Liga with Elche.
Cordova, who its believed already had a tense relationship with the former Norwich City man, was asked about the situation at his press conference ahead of the overnight friendly with Mexico in LA.
“Many different versions of events have circulated,” he told _[La Tercera](https://www.latercera.com/el-deportivo/noticia/nicolas-cordova-rompe-el-silencio-tras-la-polemica-salida-de-nunez-de-la-roja-me-entere-cuando-iba-al-entrenamiento/)_. “He made the decision to leave the squad for personal reasons. I found out the morning after the match against the United States, just as we were heading out to train.
“He trained and upon returning he decided to stay behind so he could travel to England while the rest of us travelled here.”
Pressed on the reasons Nunez decided to return to Town, Cordova kept his cards close to his chest.
“I don't have much to add, because it was a purely personal decision based on reasons he will have to explain himself,” he continued. “It is not my place to explain other people's decisions.”
Cordova admitted it wasn’t ideal for a player to walk out on an international camp.
“It is never pleasant for a player to leave,” he added. “We are fully aware of that. Once he has left, however, we have to focus on the players who are here and train as well as possible, because we have another very important match ahead that demands the utmost seriousness.”
After Nunez’s departure, a Chilean Football Federation statement indicated that he had made his exit for “personal reasons” and Cordova says that was very much the case.
“What appears in the official statement reflects the reality,” he insisted. “Honestly, there isn't much to add. I found out that morning just as I was heading to training.”
Quizzed on the reported fallout with teammates, Cordova flat-batted: “You’ll have to ask him about that. You don’t have to ask me. It’s his decision, it’s not as if I kicked him off the national team.
“It’s not as if I had an argument with him. He made that decision and when an adult makes a decision, you have to accept it.”
He added: “My perception of the matter doesn’t really matter. He made a decision and I accept it because it is the decision of an adult.
“I could try to convince you of things I believe or how I see things, but my opinion is irrelevant because ultimately we are talking about an adult who made a decision and there is nothing we can do about that.”
_Photo: Daiana Panza via Reuters Connect_