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Chivas Hand Reigns To Raul Arias
The former San Luis and Necaxa manager will try and sort out the mess in Guadalajara.
Sep 17, 2009 9:50:23 AM
The Chivas owner held a press conference, while the Chivas team resided in Kansas City for a friendly against America, to present Arias as the new manager along with a new physical trainer.
“Thank you for being here. Welcome. I think it’s more than obvious why we are here, but I wanted to do this officially. I’d like to welcome Raul Arias as manager of Chivas de Guadalajara and in this case Mr.(Norberto)Paciullo who will come as the trainer with the team of Mr. Arias.”
Vergara also announced that picking the manager wasn’t his decision. Chivas’ Football Committee reviewed candidates to choose the next manager and came to the conclusion for the next Mexican league game.”
“Besides giving them a welcome, telling them the process, it was the Committee that proposed the candidates. They made the interviews for the candidates and the Committee made the decisions. They negotiated with Mr. Raul Arias on the contract and financial aspects. We came to an agreement that we were content with, but it was an interesting three day process. There was communication, much information, questions, and answers. We’re satisfied and excited because we believe he is the best for Chivas at this moment,” said Vergara. “We’re confident in the experience that he has, and the strength that he has to help get the team forward, to uplift the locker room and direct the guys in a way that they should be directed at this moment to win against Jagaures next Saturday. It’s an important game to continue with possibilities of qualifying(for the Liguilla). It is reasonable to be close to qualification in our group against Jagaures on Saturday. So, I’d like to welcome both and give them the shirt.”
The former Necaxa man is well known for his defensive brand of football, but Vergara spoke about the talks and how they are expected to help lift Chivas out of their negative rut.
“It first went through the committee. It was seven votes, and all had to give us their opinion. All seven were unanimous which made things easier and I need to say that I had a different picture of Raul. I expressed it to him, just as many of us had a picture of defensive play. We talked for many hours, learning what he thought, how he thought, what he’s going to do, what he had learned, and of course we spoke of his last experience with Necaxa. It was a negative result because of relegation(with Necaxa), but also positive because of what was learned. I like how he took on the test of relegation and I’m confident in the strength he showed. He infected me, as he did the Committee, and we’re in agreement in what’s needed to lift Chivas.”
Although results are necessary for the Chivas team, Vergara revealed that the new manager’s contract was long term, and not based on a game to game basis.
“It’s a long term contract where we’re looking to establish a process that we’ve tried with Chivas,” added the Chivas owner. “We have a great team with great human materials made up of young players with experience which is a good combination. I’m certain that in his hands they’ll be able to give the results that we want. There won’t be any conditioning for these 10 remaining games. We know that it’ll take time and it’ll be little by little. Raul knows that we want results, and he’s trying for results. Obviously winning is clear, however, it’s not just for 10 games, but a long term contract.”
Ultimately, Jorge Vergara sees Chivas returning to their well known brand of football.
“I see a Chivas with Raul Arias winning in first place. I do think that they will play spectacularly because we have spectacular players that are fast, that can adapt to the system that Raul proposes. I liked him and the Committee liked the knowledge that Raul has of the team because he’s been following them,” said Vergara. “Something that we have clear is that to play beautifully first you have to win. Chivas wants to achieve that and at this moment we have time to do both things: to win and play beautifully.”
Raul Arias also spoke at his presentation and added that the position came at a good time.
“I see that there is a lot of interest of what happens with Chivas. It’s on everyone’s mind. It’s the start of something, a project. The only thing I can say at the start is that I’m happy because this is an opportunity that comes to me at a good time in life,” said the new manager. It’s at a good stage with maturity and I accept this challenge. I accept that Chivas is not just any team. It’s an important team, if not that most important in Mexico and I’m accepting of whatever comes.”
The former Chivas player also expressed his desire for duration with his former club.
“I was here many years ago as a player, and now it’s a different stage. I’m arriving with more maturity and credibility and I hope to stay a long time in Guadalajara.”
Andrea Martinez, Goal.com
For more coverage of Mexican football, visit Goal.com's Mexico section.
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