MEXICO CITY (AP) 鈥� Sebasti谩n Beccacece has stepped down as coach of Ecuador following elimination.
The 45-year-old Argentine confirmed it after Tuesday night鈥檚 .
鈥淢y contract has to end with the end of the World Cup. For us, we are leaving now,鈥� Beccacece said. 鈥淚 believe the dressing room is full of brotherhood. I鈥檓 taking the love, respect, commitment and admiration from the boys, from this group of warriors, the Ecuadorian national team.鈥�
Beccacece was in charge for two years. He led Ecuador, which was making its fifth World Cup appearance, to the knockout round for just the second time after a memorable in the group stage.
After that match, Beccacece made a and climbed up from the field to embrace his wife and other loved ones while yellow-clad fans around him patted him on the back and tens of thousands more around the stadium jumped and cheered.
鈥淲hen we started this journey there wasn鈥檛 much hope, there wasn鈥檛 much of an expectation of us getting here. But we made it, we exceeded certain expectations,鈥� Beccacece said. 鈥淏ut we couldn鈥檛 match the feat.鈥�
First-half goals from Mexico鈥檚 Juli谩n Qui帽ones and Ra煤l Jim茅nez ended Ecuador鈥檚 tournament run.
鈥淲e have built a beautiful legacy and had to undergo a journey with dignity, honesty and transparency,” Beccacece said. “The outcomes we have fulfilled as of today, and now the technical staff will have to find a different path.”
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