Honduran soccer is in mourning, because on Wednesday night the death of José de la Paz Herrera Uclés, better known as ‘Chelato’ Uclés, who lost his life at the age of 80, After difficulties due to having undergone heart surgery in the past days and after his death, Catracho football joined in tributes to bid farewell to whoever led the Honduras national team to a World Cup for the first time in its history, in the Spanish edition. 82.
Today is a sad day for football due to the death of José de la Paz Herrera at the age of 80.
Honduras' most awarded coach????????, he will always be remembered for leading the @FenafuthOrg to #WorldCup from Spain???????? in 1982#D.E.P dear professor “Chelato Uclés” pic.twitter.com/AlnVoiMhdw
– FIFA World Cup ???? (@fifaworldcup_es) April 29, 2021
‘Chelato’, considered the best coach in the history of catracho football, He had health problems due to a delicate diabetes, which is why last Friday, he was admitted to the hospital for surgery, however he did not resist and died around 10:30 at night in Tegucigalpa. After his death was made known, different Honduran teams mourned the death of ‘Chelato’ Uclés, who this Thursday is being veiled at the National Stadium.
The legacy of ‘Chelato’ Uclés will be indelible for the memory of Honduran soccer, which this Thursday dismisses one of the greatest legends in all its history, since the coach, born in Soledad, El Paraíso, was in charge of take the Honduran national team to a World Cup for the first time in its history, by getting a ticket to Spain 82.
The legendary strategist led Honduras to the first World Cup in its history, in addition to also having been present in the processes towards Mexico 86 and Italy 90, establishing a successful project in the national team, in addition to also have directed clubs such as Motagua, Real España, Marathón, Olimpia, among others, as well as foreign clubs such as Santos Laguna in Mexico and Cartaginés in Costa Rica.
'Chelato' won a total of five national leagues in Honduras, before his retirement in 2013, when his historic career came to an end, but not before being the first Honduran coach to coach in a World Cup, in which he said goodbye with two draws and one loss, and also having led in qualifying rounds, the Gold Cup and the UNCAF Cup.
Honduran soccer unites for ‘Chelato’
After the death of the coach was announced, Honduran soccer joined to mourn the departure of ‘Chelato’, because different teams sent emotional messages on behalf of the historic coach, who was transferred to the National Stadium of Tegucigalpa, where he will be fired in a ceremony with his family and with reduced capacity due to the pandemic
☦️ Today is a sad day for Honduran Soccer, due to the death of the teacher, José de la Paz Herrera.
???? In Motagua he will always be well remembered, where he began his steps as a coach in 1969.
???? Q.D.D.G. dear Master “Chelato” Uclés ???? pic.twitter.com/19SMiDBuri
– Soccer Club Motagua (@MOTAGUAcom) April 29, 2021
Honduran fans gathered at the National Stadium of Tegucigalpa to say goodbye to their idol, which leaves an indelible legacy within Honduran soccer.