Luis Enrique Martinez broke, in an interview with the SER Gijón channel, his silence since he left the national team, at the end of the Qatar 2022 World Cup. During the long conversation ‘Lucho’ revealed himself enjoyed his time with the national teamHe was launched darts at his criticswas unable to judge the new Source selection because “he is in South Africa traveling”, while expressing his desire to work at Premier, despite the fact that he does not receive any offers.
“Yes in the national teams, but not in one of the Brazildespite what was said around there”. This is the transcript of the conversation held with SER Gijón’s colleagues.
How are the legs after the Cape Epic (extremely difficult Mountain Bike test) you did in South Africa?
It’s been eight days that at my age I’m starting to doubt if it’s worth doing… Now I’m recovering after a very long return trip, about 19 hours. Now calm down, very good.
The interview was apparently arranged before the national team’s match against Scotland…
Yes, because it looks like I’ll be doing an interview the day after we lose a game to the national team, but nothing could be further from the truth. Since the World Cup ended, I haven’t read the Spanish press or looked at anything Spanish on the internet. Only English press and little else.
So don’t read compliments or insults…
They barked, then we got on board, it was a good sign. When you’re in professional football, you’re not going to like everyone or control what they say about you, for better or for worse. You have to deal with it with intensity, but I follow mine, calm and enjoying.
Luis Enrique is always good, wherever he is.
I have explained it many times: when you are the coach, you control all the information, more than any journalist. And you must make decisions and face the sign of the results and their consequences. I know what to do and how to do it and that’s it.
Many now remember you as a coach. Did you feel valued during your time as a coach?
Well, a lot, especially thanks to the streaming sessions, with a dose of unusual love from the fans. They served to bring the players and the figure of the coach closer to the fans. It was a very positive experiment. You don’t know if I’ll come back, but I didn’t think so, I prefer to separate myself, not to be part of today, to enjoy these moments. I enjoy being a coach, but I also enjoy my life outside of football, so I don’t know if I will return, sooner or later, depending on the offers I have.
Do you regret anything you did or didn’t do in the national team, without a ‘plan B’?
I know there are vermin and vultures taking advantage of their second glory… I feel very satisfied with my time in the national team, where I made a mistake. But I had to make decisions and I faced them with full responsibility. The rest are debates by people with a lack of information. And the rest, opinions, let them continue…
You didn’t watch either game, did you?
No, he caught me in South Africa and was traveling. Yes, I have proven that things are different, as they should be, many types of professionals and coaches.
Still watching football?
Yes a lot. I follow English football more, which I want to go to. From Spanish, the great ones.
Do you see yourself in the Premier in the summer?
Well no, the truth is. I’m not going to go with any team but one that can do important things, which cuts down the numbers a lot. I don’t have many illusions, really, because there are many candidates. But I’m lucky because my personal life is full. That it’s dragging on, with no offers coming in? It is what it is. And we are also not ruling out training in Spain or any other team, some of whom have spoken to me. And no, I’m not ruling it out, although it would have to be a very strong team.
Do you see yourself training in Brazil?
Find a coach, yes, among others… But I don’t see myself, I don’t think it’s the coaching profile for a team that is more skilled than other profiles. No one called me from Brazil, these are rumors that appear in the press: now everything is so fast that a rumor becomes news and ‘cut and paste’ becomes world news. I don’t know if my style is the best for a team of this level.
And the Sporting?
At that time, he did not show confidence in Luis Enrique as a coach. If I train him? Not now, now I want clubs that aspire to win titles, with high level players. But after what happened to Abelardo, who worked for the team of his heart… Let’s see, maybe, why should I rule it out? In 5 or 10 years, if I want it and if Sporting wants it, it’s a matter of both. Although it will be very difficult: it must be in a situation where he has nothing to prove, which will end in regret and destruction. The trainer credit lasts 18 and a half seconds.
Did Abelardo’s departure from Sporting hurt you?
Of course it hurts. And it’s not fair. There is no guarantee that with another technician the results will be better. ‘Pitu’ should be Sporting’s coach for many years as he will be the cornerstone of rebuilding a club that has been at a low point for many years. If every time the boat wobbles a bit we throw in an experienced technician like ‘Seven’, imagine, it took me 10 minutes to put the two together myself, with my tail between my legs and head for Barcelona .
What are your plans until you return to the bench?
Now I am very for health sports, which are often not professional. I dedicate myself to living, enjoying my free time, traveling, meeting my friends… Basic things that fill me up.
Does your child like football?
Nope. He’s another fan. He plays it with his friends, in no team. He prefers to ‘stream’, browse around… I invite you to investigate, try anything in any sector and if you don’t like it, change. Find what you want and if you can dedicate your life to it, that you want, go ahead.
Is part of your plans to buy a club, like David Villa in Benidorm?
what are you telling me I still call him because he still needs a coach. I like it moving like this. We ride bikes, but he’s very fast, he’s 10 or 12 years younger, and we hardly talk. I like that he invests in football. Me, invest? I like to take a team and push forward, I am a person to compete.
Source: La Verdad
I am Shawn Partain, a journalist and content creator working for the Today Times Live. I specialize in sports journalism, writing articles that cover major sporting events and news stories. With a passion for storytelling and an eye for detail, I strive to be accurate and insightful in my work.
