Germán Adrián Ramón Burgos (Mar del Plata, Argentina, 04-16-1969, 51 years old) attends AS days before the great derby between Atlético and Madrid takes place. Now far from Wanda's bench, the one who was second to Simeone is looking for new challenges. Nor does he forget the recently deceased Diego Armando Maradona with whom he starred in an unknown anecdote.
How are you living this new stage?
We are working with my technical team on different systems to shape what the clubs need. We have the schemes 1-4-4-2, 1-4-3-3, 1-3-5-2 ready in three weeks of work and that allows you to intervene when entities need it and that is an advantage. As a coach you have to seek balance and you always have to be close to the players. When I was a player I was also a coach. I have been trying to get to know the players since I was 15 years old and that few do. Bielsa is one of them.
Were you able to sign for Real Zaragoza?
We were close. There were meetings and it was interesting for the entity, although then we did not reach a finalization. All of these meetings are important. But the main thing is that we are prepared.
Why did you decide to leave to be first coach when it was comfortable to stay in the comfort zone, to remain second at Atlético?
The simplest thing was to stay with Simeone. But with the accumulated experience, that I know the fields of Regional Third, Third, Second B and Second and First. I have been in the National Team, in the Champions … I have a baggage of situations and have gone through all divisions. I think it's a unique experience because I've been through all the divisions.
The farewell he had from Atlético was very exciting.
I have never seen such a farewell for a second coach, he has been unique in football. The situation in which we find ourselves as a coaching staff comes from there. I had meetings with sports directors to sign me up and they asked me not to go to the Champions League in Lisbon to start the preseason with their teams, something normal. That is why the situation in which we find ourselves is chosen because we did not leave because we did not make a bad impression on Atlético, where I lived some wonderful years.
In other words, that by going to the Champions League, the season did not start with a team the season. Did you have First or Second offers?
I had offers from Primera. You cannot know the team because there are people working and you have to respect it.
How did you end up with Simeone?
I finished very well. They have been many years of teammates in the Argentine national team and in teammates' Atleti. And all these years in the same coaching staff. I have eaten more with him than with my family. I texted him when the coronavirus. But I don't bother, I call when it goes wrong, which is what friends do.
What has Atleti given you and vice versa?
It is a question of genetics. You always have to give. If the club and the fans see that a good job is done, that always comes back. Atleti has given me a story. I have been one of the idols of the club and belonging to a place is what I take with me. I will always support them, unless another team hires me and I face them (laughing).
Which players would you choose?
I have had the possibility of training five world champions when Atleti had eight. That is something unique like Torres, Villa, the French … What Atleti has is that it forms groups and that is the difficult thing to find in other teams. A solid thing that remains in time
What result do you think will take place in the Madrid derby?
The team is firm to beat Madrid that I see in a round trip of emotions. In the Champions League he won very well, but in the local tournament we see these balancing variables. Atlético wins 2-0. He has champion genetics. I don't watch Atleti matches, but Armando de la Morena informs me. But they are champion numbers. He beat Barcelona and if he beats Madrid now, he already has the full numbers and the individual duels almost on track.
The lost finals against Madrid … Was it a lack of ambition?
It would not be correct to give my opinion on these finals. We are runners-up. It was our luck to lose. Atleti spent 14 years without beating Madrid. It is said soon … a child who is born and turns 14 did not see him win. And we managed to win him again in a Cup final. That moment was crucial to return to compete as equals.
Are you concerned about the situation in Ramos?
Ramos is already a coach. He generates a support within the field for his leadership form that would have to give him the title of coach. I'm surprised by your situation. When I watched them before the games, it was him who spoke. What Atleti does to fire his figure, Madrid does not do. Many figures have passed and at least give him a pennant … Atleti takes care of its idols.
By the way, how is the classification system you propose?
The important thing to discuss is where this table comes from. I go to watch a game as a 9-10 year old boy. The boy who scores a goal catches the ball and says “now we get back.” Then they tied and then lost. I was hiding behind a tree and I went to talk to him and he said if that's what we all did. That situation … and we have an exercise called winning in 15 minutes where we propose different situations and in seven to eight minutes try to reverse that. I never zeroed. We all put together a team that we are here and we sign up for any championship. They beat you one to zero and you already have the point. One who is late can enter and already has the score. The 0-0 for me receives a lot of points. You also have -1 after the loss. Bookmakers should advise people that the match is going to be inspected. The tie at four gives you two points. Where there are numbers there will be that possibility.
How would a tandem with Zidane have been?
It is difficult, but you always have moments. What I have seen of Zidane is that he always speaks well and I have great respect for him because he is a winner. I admire both him and the rest of the coaches.
You set the trend with the cap years ago …
I started using it at night. When you go to Second Division fields the lights are low and that produces an annoying glare. The height of the headlights is determined by the shadows. So I started using it. I've always wanted Oblak to give it a try, but there are people who get upset.
Speaking of goalkeepers … How do you see Oblak's potential?
Is one of the best. It has many resources and a way to improve. I remember my time as a player where I received a lot of balls and that's why my nose was like this. The penalty to Figo will not be forgotten. You don't have to be afraid and you can play with your head.
What memory do you have of Aragonés?
Luis Aragonés is one of my teachers. You have to beat the player by making him work. A player looks for great coaches on the field. Luis told me a year before that he was going to go to Atlético. I think he sees the future because he is a leader. That's what a team is looking for. The leader is the one who meets the objectives. The more I work, the luckier I get. That is one of his great phrases. He was not the same coach in Segunda as when he was with Spain. Adapting to those players is a system.
Do you have any anecdote with Maradona?
We were always close. Diego has called me at crucial moments and I have never called him because I don't like to bother. Once it was when we drew Barça and became champions. He called me three hours before to tell me that we were going to win him to be calm. In other situations he also did it, like in the finals that I had to direct as head coach because Diego was suspended. They were like blessings he gave me. The strength he gave you with those messages! It is easier to call later, before the births almost nobody calls you. Diego yes, he sent me messages before the crucial games.
The first day we met he told me he wanted to meet me. He told me that even though we were in rival teams, he had always spoken well of him. At a dinner at De María with Ronaldo, Solari and Roberto Carlos that Diego set up, I remember that Richy Castellanos was dabbing with a lemon and he told him better with an orange. Then he told me, as a joke, to give him, to cut off the touches, when I did he had also arranged to have bread thrown at him. He was very joking. He always had a good atmosphere.
Moving away Sabella has also left us. He was his partner in Ferro …
He didn't talk much, but he was always fair with what he said. I had a fight with a partner and he came to tell me not to argue with Carlos Griguol because the greats were following me to take me to River. Then I apologized to him. Griguol told me: “what do I do with the other goalkeeper, shall I kill him?” I told him that at 19 we both knew he was better than him. But his warning helped me. Sabella was a good teammate and a great coach.
Thanks for the conversation. Germán Adrián Ramón Burgos. Goalkeeper of the West Railroad. Champion River Plate goalkeeper. He came to Mallorca to try his luck in Europe. Luis Aragonés brought Atleti to promote the team. He will always remain in the retina of the fans coming out of the sewer after two years in hell and from there he will go down in history as second to Simeone and now he is looking for life as first coach. Thanks for these minutes.
Thanks and regards to all.