Marcelino: ‘At Valencia we had been told not to try to win the cup’
Marcelino: ‘At Valencia we had been told not to try to win the cup’. Marcelino Garca Toral says he may be the first manager fired after winning a trophy. His exit from Valencia in September 2019, which he had just guided to their first silverware in 11 years, was too recent, too raw for him to accept Milan’s offer.
When he was ready to return, Athletic Club appeared. “I felt cherished there,” he says. He had a predicament last week.
Statements
Which channel? Which game? Iaki Williams, playing for Ghana, adds, “I owe ‘Marce’ a lot.” “He grew me” Nico Williams, who he gave his Spain debut at 18, plays for Athletic. Two brothers, ages 28 and 20, making international debuts.
So? Smiling. Marcelino says, “Nico.” LIVE! “I’m glad for both because they did so despite choosing different national teams with their heads and hearts. They have my love and support.
It’s mutual. The Williams brothers have been terrific, scoring in the same game before the international break and again after it, Iaki helped by Nico and Iaki. The new internationals and their team finished third.
Marcelino left as manager in June due to presidential elections, although he is fondly remembered for bringing them to the club. Why Nico?
Marcelino didn’t see it. “Everyone at Lezama saw his growth over time. We thought he could advance, but his first season was essential for the B team. The second was injured from the start. He’s airborne.
Declarations
“He hasn’t played much in primera, but his growth is apparent and the national team summoned him.” He took the chance with courage and skill.
Nico spoke of one-on-one teaching that provided him calm, pausa, on the pitch, notably in finishing and the final pass; Iaki of pastoral work with Marcelino’s psychologist José Carrascosa.
“That’s vital for a young player,” adds the coach. “Appearance is easy, continuity is hard. Outstanding abilities are generally in a hurry, and so are we, which can cause pessimism if progress is slow. You must take solid, steady steps and normalize ups and downs or confidence will suffer.
“Iaki’s experience helps Nico, but it’s more than that. His father is Iaki. He has numerous virtues. He helped Nico. His impact on Nico is important. He has exceptional human characteristics and a professional mentality that make him Nico’s role model.
Nico possesses great technical and physical skills for modern football – speed, energy, quick decision-making – but he needs emotional stability, ambition, self-esteem, and humility. Football requires more than talent, and he couldn’t have asked for a finer mentor than Iaki.
Nature aids. Marcelino says Athletic is unique. He laughs in surprise at how a Basque-only team can compete in a post-Bosman global game of big wealth and foreign investment. He says, “Tremendo!” “It’s unbelievable. Athletic’s top-half finish deserves praise.
Marcelino admits he can be indecisive when offers emerge, but says: “We thought it might be our only chance to coach Athletic and we’re proud.” This club is outstanding socially, organizationally, and culturally, and its non-negotiable motto makes it unique.
Remarks
“That generates an amazing atmosphere. San Mamés is amazing. The club is united, committed, solid, and friendly. “Their success made me like my job.”
He needed it. Marcelino came over in January 2021, four months after being fired by Valencia despite establishing stability, getting them into the Champions League, and winning the Copa del Rey against Barcelona. Mistakenly.
He says that was the detonator. “Everything’s improving. Fans, players, coaching staff, sporting director, director general build a good team, then an owner wrecks it in record time. Fast enough to call Guinness.”
Crisis struck. Pablo Longoria and Mateu Alemany were also fired. Following players. Unusually, they voiced their wrath publicly, which is telling in how they protected Marcelino, even though he claims, “They saw something so absurd they couldn’t believe it.”
“They wrecked a project where players were thrilled and thought we could defeat anyone. Rodrigo told me we’d beat Barcelona that week.
Does Peter Lim like soccer? I doubt he likes football. In meetings, they said one thing, but when I met him after 30 hours, he said the contrary.
“A month and a half after winning the cup, reaching the Europa League semi-final, and qualifying for the Champions League, you say, ‘Bloody hell, I didn’t expect this.’ I’m confused.
“We were advised not to win the cup or play our best team, but we did neither. We did what was natural for Valencia. Valencia must win. We did what fans and club history requested. Life, like football, is about winning. We stated this, you did that, here are the repercussions.
Facts
“Winning the cup didn’t hurt our European chances: beating Getafe in the quarterfinals gave us confidence and momentum for the Champions League.”
Bitterness replaced triumphant celebrations. Marcelino agrees. Was that your best managing moment, even though it backfired? The trophy. But you assess satisfaction against expectations.
“I’ve had four promotions, Recreativo’s best position, Racing Santander’s only Uefa campaign, a promotion and European semi with Villarreal, moving up with Zaragoza, and the Super Cup with Athletic after beating Madrid and Barcelona.”
What now? Marcelino is taking his time and enjoying himself while watching games – “there’s a difference between watching and dissecting,” he explains. Sevilla and Marseille were rejected. “The correct thing will happen at the appropriate time and place: destiny puts you in X spot,” he says. “And if not, well, then maybe we’ll rethink.”
One destination is clear. Marcelino, like Luis Enrique, played for Sporting Gijón. He remembers taking Kevin Moran, of Manchester United and Ireland renown, to training most mornings. Moran was the only player who didn’t partake in a Christmas lottery ticket.
“The national team is every Spanish coach’s ambition,” he says. “God willing, it’ll happen in a year, two years, or 10.” I don’t think so right now. The federation president will decide when a coach I respect contract ends. The moment will come when it must.”
Marcelino might turn off the TV and control Nico Williams if not Iaki.
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