"The city is trying to instill a ‘Guardiola’ philosophy around the world"

Hernan Santana will soon begin a new professional adventure. Then leave Spanish football in the midst of a pandemic to venture into Asian football at the hands of CityGroupthe canary changes destination again when it receives an offer from Chinese Sichuan Jiuniu coached by the former Barça coach Sergio Lobera.

Your experience in India

Santana explained how her life changed back then wolves he was called to enroll in the ambitious project of city sa India. “Last year on Sporting Gijon I am looking for an outlet in Spain. My idea is not to move from Europe, but I found no option worthwhile for me, neither at a sporting nor economic level. It was post-Covid only and all teams cut costs. The option in India came out and everything fell into place. Sergio Lobera He called me and convinced me to go there (India). The first year went very well despite a pandemic. We are in the bubble. He just left the hotel to train. So you understand, in two years in India I have seen nothing, ”he said.

Despite the difficulties, the city ​​of mumbai of which he was a member, he was proclaimed league champion, but the change in the board of directors led to his departure from North East Unitedalso from India. “My idea is to continue on city ​​of mumbai, but the organizational chart changed and what he had agreed to with them was cut. I had other offers in India and decided to move. “

The power of the City Group

After comparing the experiences with Indiathe Canarian midfielder commented on the differences of having the support of an institution such as CityGroupowner of City of Manchester and many other teams around the world.

“It has already been mentioned city He is behind all the facilities, the hotel, the physios, the staff. Everything is very good. He then signed for an Indian club and everything was more noticeable there. On that team, the physio did everything … even as a doctor, ”he explains.

Ang CityGroup continues to expand its project worldwide. His ‘portfolio’ includes teams in Australia (Merburne City), Uruguay (Motevideo City Torque), United States (New York City), India (Mumbai City), France (Troyes) or best known, Manchester City under the direction of Pep Guardiola.

Export ‘Guardiola’ philosophy

For Hernán, this group seeks to export the ‘Guardiola’ model worldwide. “They bring experienced players and coaches to Asia. Sometimes football is not the main sport there and they don’t have the level they have in Europe. They seek to implement the philosophy of ‘Guardiola’ and they do well. A game model of having the ball, wide open central defenders … trying to win games but with a philosophy and with a mentality of good play and entertaining people ”, emphasizes the Canarian. this model benefits me. Having frequent contact with the ball and having a fun game is appreciated. Ultimately, we are footballers to interact with the ball and if you go with a team that is less considered, it is not enjoyed the same way ”.

Santana will start another stage with the City in China. “In the middle of February he called me Sergio Lobera and he proposed to repeat the experience in China. The project there is ambitious. The team is in second place and we have a goal to climb. “Canarian detailed the City’s professionalism.” You realize the influence of CityGroup and control over all the markets they have, the scouting system they have … When wolves He called me for this China project, he wanted to know my opinion and if I was convinced to go, because once he signed they offered him a list of 70 players from around the world ”.

Travel problems in China

hernan is facing many problems to start this new adventure due to Chinese restrictions as a result of covid.

“We don’t know how long we will be like this. Everything is pretty stagnant in terms of paperworks and others. They have already sent me the final documents for entering the country and we will see if we can travel next week. They tell us that in next week, but still here Since mid -February we have been trying to get in China and we are still here. The deadlines for the start of the competition were the end of April, the beginning of May, but everything was delayed. You have to get to the country, quarantine… ”, explained Santana, who still hasn’t lost his appetite to play. “I already have soccer overalls, so I can put on my boots and start playing,” he said excitedly.