ASUNCION, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- Newly appointed Paraguay coach Eduardo Berizzo has vowed that "days of hard work" are ahead as he prepares his team for the Copa America in Brazil.
The 49-year-old Argentine this week replaced Colombian Juan Carlos Osorio, who left by mutual consent on February 13 after just five months in the role.
In his first press conference as Albirroja coach, Berizzo promised to have his team ready for the Copa America, which starts on June 14, and for 2022 World Cup qualifiers.
"We expect days of hard work. There isn't much time and we want to complete this process with an objective of qualifying for Qatar in 2022," Berizzo told reporters on Friday.
"One of the reasons I decided to come here is because of the quality of Paraguay's players. We'll ask them for a lot of commitment and effort. We need to think about the collective."
Berizzo's eight-year managerial career has included spells in charge of Spanish clubs Celta Vigo, Sevilla and Athletic Bilbao. He was sacked from the latter in December after winning just two of 15 matches across all competitions.
Paraguay have been drawn in Group B of the Copa America alongside Argentina, Colombia and Qatar.
