The former Peruvian footballer Roberto Chalea quarter-finalist at the 1970 World Cup in Mexico and former coach of the national team, died on Tuesday at the age of 77, announced the Universitario de Deportes club, among which was one of its historical idols.
“Club Universitario de Deportes regrets the sad death of Don Roberto Chale Olarte, a legend who was a national champion three times as a footballer and twice as a coach,” the Lima team said on social media. “Rest in peace, Maestro!” the club added.
In recent times, the former midfielder’s health had deteriorated due to diabetes and thrombosis. Trained at Centro Iqueno, Chale went on to play for Universitario, Sport Boys, Sporting Cristal and Deportivo Municipal in Peru. Suspended for assaulting a referee, he went into exile in Venezuela and Ecuador from 1977 to 1979. In 1980, Chale retired from playing and began a coaching career. He subsequently managed countless Peruvian clubs, as well as the national team briefly in 1985.
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The popular ‘Enfant Terrible’ had a mischievous game, very good technique and a strong temperament on the field. The midfielder was one of the architects of Peru’s qualification for the 1970 World Cup in Mexico, eliminating Argentina in a memorable 2-2 draw at the Bombonera in Buenos Aires in 1969.
