The Argentinian Luis Zubeldia was presented this Monday as the new coach of São Paulo and asked the Colombian James Rodriguez and to the other stars of the Brazilian club to think “about the team” rather than individuals.
“It is important that all the players are at their best level. The name is not important,” the Santa Rosa coach said in a press conference when asked about the situation of James Rodriguez currently injured.
James, there’s a problem
The Colombian playmaker, a former player for Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, among other European clubs, arrived in the São Paulo team almost a year ago, but has not finished establishing himself in the starting eleven and even threatened to terminate his contract in the preseason .
Zubeldía admitted that each player needs “particular attention” because “not everyone is the same” within the squad, although he stressed that the most important thing is that “they must think about the team.”
The Argentine coach signed a contract with Tricolor de Morumbí for two seasons, until December 2025and will replace the Brazilian in the office Thiago Carpini, who was disappointed at the beginning of the course.
You already know what it is to win international titles. Last year he won the Copa Sudamericana with LDU de Quito and now the Copa Libertadores is set as his main goal.
The Libertadores, an obsession
“The Libertadores is an obsession. It is very important (…) It is the obsession of all those who have won it and those who have not, like me, and we will work hard to get it,” he hinted.
São Paulo is now in second position in Group B of the 2024 Libertadores with three points, after losing at home against Argentine Talleres (2-1) and defeating Chilean Cobresal (2-0) in agony. There are four more days to complete this phase.
Zubeldía defined his new teamor as a “giant” who is “always respected” in the world and revealed that he decided to join him despite having offers from “several leagues” on the table. “But I like it here,” he said.
The coach also had kind words for one of his former teammates, Barcelona, from Guayaquil, who will join them in the group stage of the Libertadores on Thursday.
“They always want me to come back,” but “I will defend the colors of São Paulo,” he said.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Rose Herman and I work as an author for Today Times Live. My expertise lies in writing about sports, a passion of mine that has been with me since childhood. As part of my job, I provide comprehensive coverage on everything from football to tennis to golf.
