Proud of Peru's achievements at Copa, Gareca pledges to stay on

Soccer Football - Copa America Brazil 2019 - Final - Brazil v Peru - Maracana Stadium, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - July 7, 2019 Peru coach Ricardo Gareca gestures REUTERS/Luisa Gonzalez

RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) - Peru coach Ricardo Gareca praised his players for giving hope to the country after they lost the Copa America final 3-1 to Brazil on Sunday and declared that he was not interested in coaching any other team until the next World Cup.

Peru made a slack start to the tournament and were thumped 5-0 by Brazil in the group stages but they pulled off upsets in the knockout stages, dumping out Uruguay on penalties before a stunning 3-0 semi-final win over Copa holders Chile.