Mexican technical director Ignacio Quintana extended his contract with the Panama women’s national team until 2027 after making history by helping the “Canalero” team qualify for the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
Through its social networks, the Panamanian Football Federation announced the extension of the contract of Nacho Quintana, in office since December 2020. The goal now is to compete in the W Gold Cup, which will take place in early 2024, and take Panama to the 2027 World Cup.
“I will continue to work with the same intensity as on the first day, I will surprisingly remove the name Panama and I will make sure that the team is one day among the favorites to win the title,” Quintana said at a press conference after signing his extension .
“At the moment our thoughts are about the Gold Cup and we will fight for it. As I said, I want to eliminate the idea of a surprise, we want to be protagonists. I tell the players we have to work on it. “We will be at the World Cup, which we have already been to, and we want to come back,” he added.
Ignacio Quintana earned the admiration and respect of Panamanian fans by leading the “Canalera” team to the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, the first World Cup in their history. Panama did not have good sporting results by losing its three games, but Quintana emphasized the fact of playing against the best in the world.
“The team was brave in the World Cup against their rivals, we are still a long way from them but it has been talked about. That didn’t mean we couldn’t compete, they felt they had the ability to improve,” he said.
Ignacio Quintana thanked Panamanian clubs for supporting his project, but hopes that conditions will improve so that local football players can focus solely on their sporting achievements.
“Several clubs are working and I would like to emphasize the responsibility of the clubs. I see a lot of people doing well, not only in terms of football but also making them feel professional. “It’s not about going on Wednesday and then stopping to play and Thursday,” he said.
