In recent years, the idea has been deepened that MLS will surpass Liga MX as the seasons go by and that it is already looking towards Europe, when previously it observed its Mexican counterpart to emulate it in growth. It is not common for players or coaches from that country to be present in the United States league, in fact, they contribute 5th place in number of foreigners, even being the closest country.
The person who referred to these questions was Efraín Juárez. In this second part of the exclusive interview he gave to 90min, he talks about his present as a technical assistant in New York City FC and future projects, what he thinks when they talk about betrayal for having played in America -he began his career in Pumas- and how you see Mexicans in European football.
Juárez began his career in the basic forces of the Cougars and that is where he was consolidated in such a way that he was called to play the 2010 World Cup in South Africa with Javier Aguirre as coach. In college he played for two seasons and then went on to Celtic in Scotland. With a brief loan from Zaragoza in the middle of his two years in Europe, he returned to Mexico in 2012 to wear the colors of America, in which he became champion of the 2013 Clausura.
What did it mean to have worn the America shirt knowing about the rivalry with Pumas?
I have a fondness for all clubs. Pumas is my first love, the one who gave me the opportunity to fulfill my dream. I entered the basic forces at age 11 or 12 and at 15 or 16 they had given me the chance to do the preseason with the first team and then debut and be champion. Playing there allowed me to go to a World Cup, it is the love of my life. I owe myself to them because they trained me as a person and a player.
When I was given the opportunity to return to Mexico, there were two teams that were interested in me and I ended up going to America. I could be judged if I had been presented with Pumas and América and I had chosen the second. The reality is that Pumas never appeared and had that option. There is no betrayal when they don’t want you and you have a chance elsewhere. That does not take away the love, respect and gratitude that I have for the club that will never be forgotten. We had talks with the sports director to return to Pumas but it did not happen.
You talk a lot about the opportunities … Do you think Mexicans lack, with the talent they have, to arrive in Europe?
Despite the lack of opportunities, the Mexican player can be expensive for the European market. Those who leave Mexico for Europe is because they really broke the league. In Argentina you do not have to break the league to go there, it is a matter of doing things well because they are recognized by the previous ones.
In Europe we have more and more recognition, but we have won it based on the players who have gone and have done things well. Lozano, Herrera, Guardado, Moreno, Dos Santos, Vela, Márquez, Chicharito, Hugo Sánchez, are counted on the fingers of one hand. Others have done and nothing happened, like my case. We are in the process of European football looking at the Mexican footballer and wanting to invest.
I was playing the last year of my professional career in Norway and the best of that league ends up going to important European clubs or transcendent leagues at low cost for what they represent. The Norwegian is used to playing cold, to the language, to the rhythm of the game, he does not have to adapt and it costs him cheaper. The Mexican, who does not know what is going to happen, is more expensive and we must see if it works.
What does it mean to be a technical assistant in New York City? Do you see yourself training in a team soon?
The MLS is in exponential growth. The opportunity presented itself overnight and it was rare. Because just as it happens with the players, also with the coaches, there are not many Mexicans in the United States. I could not miss the chance. I was invited by Ronny Deila, who was my coach in the last year of my professional career in Norway and who had managed Celtic when I was there as well. We hit it off very well around what we see in football. It allowed me to be part of this institution as New York City FC, which is also part of the City Football Group with more than 12 teams worldwide, with Manchester City at the top.
Anyone can know about football, but in dressing room management, I know how a group is managed because I was born there. If you are not in the ring, you cannot talk about boxing. I’m here because I want to learn when the opportunity arises to be better prepared. Of course I want to be a coach, but I am not urgent, that will come. I am dedicated to my work and to helping the club meet its objectives.
What dream do you have for the rest of your football career?
Everybody. A guy who used to play on the sidewalk with his friends and ended up playing the World Cup speaks to you, imagine if I don’t believe in dreams. I dream of being a Real Madrid coach, because life has shown me that it can be done. I want to be the coach of the Mexican team, Manchester City, Pumas, Monterrey, America, everything. I am the living dream of playing in the corner of my house and ending up playing in the Champions League.
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