The Irishman saving la Selección Colombia

Des McAleenan's career as a football goalkeeping coach has taken him all over the world, working with some of the most respected names in the game. His current role with the Colombian men's team under Carlos Queiroz is perhaps his most glamorous to date — "every day is exciting and stimulating" he says — yet he's had quite the journey getting there. Here he tells us how it was returning to the game's simpler pleasures that helped him overcome what he describes as a "horrific bout of depression". As for the year ahead, while Colombia's co-hosting of this year's Copa America means the team will be looking to win it, Des tells us the priority is World Cup qualification.