8,338 kilometers. It is the distance that you have traveled David Perez (Madrid, 1982) to become the first Spaniard to lead a club in Belize, a Caribbean paradise with 400 kilometers of coastline and thousands of white sand beaches and turquoise waters. There, in the only country in Central America where the official language is English, the Madrilenian lives his first days as coach of the Greens FC, current champion of the local tournament. “My only objective now is the CONCACAF League tie,” he discovers, still unaware of the Eden that surrounds him. “And then the league. We are the current champion and everything that is not repeating will be bad for me,” he adds from his new home in San Ignacio.
How is everything? Haven't you thought yet: 'Oh my gosh, where have I been?'
No, everything is going very well. It is all very different, but for now it is going well. I was already in China and I knew that when I arrived I was going to think: 'Oh my God, where have I been?' But I knew where I was going and the important thing now is to adapt to this culture.
How do you get to Belize from Spain?
You can get there by plane through a stopover in Miami, but the stopover was 28 hours. Crazy. I had to do Madrid-Mexico City and Mexico City-Chetumal, which is a city near the border with Belize. There they picked me up by car and we drove to San Ignacio. It was about two hours. I had a good walk, really.
How are you controlling the pandemic in Belize?
Everything is quite good because people are very afraid of Covid. There are few cases, but as soon as the restrictions rebound they are alarming. There is still a curfew here, some days at 22 and others at 23, and the mask is still mandatory even on the street. They are very afraid of the virus.
What has been your journey to get to Belize?
I started training many years ago. My first club was in Móstoles, which is where I lived. I trained at the CD Móstoles until juniors and then the opportunity arose to go to China, where I was for a year. I returned to Spain and joined the lower categories of Alcorcón. There I trained another three years. Then the opportunity arose to go to Belize, which, even if it is far from home, is a great leap in my career because we are going to play in the CONCACAF League. Besides that, I continue working on reports and other matters for the clubs.
What was the first thing you did when you learned about the possibility of training in Belize?
The first thing I did was talk to my wife. I also spoke to the person who made the offer and asked if the country was safe. Belize is very safe, where I am there is no problem at all. I asked how the Covid issue was, how is the culture, the food, the language … I tried to find out about everything. No fear, just to have the maximum amount of information before arriving here.
“Economically it always pays off because working in grassroots football in Spain does not give a living. For now …”
David Pérez, coach of Verdes FC
Does it financially compensate or do you face it as a life experience?
Economically, it always pays off because working in grassroots football in Spain is not enough to live on. For now … So, financially it compensates because you bring a salary home and you have the opportunity to take a leap that in Europe would be much more complicated.
How have you been welcomed into the country?
They are surprised that a Spaniard comes to train here, but they have welcomed me very well. I'm still staying in a hotel, I'll be here for a month, and everyone is delighted that I'm here. It's weird, but everyone knows that I have come to try to level the club and that is important to them.
Do you already have an anecdote?
Something funny happened to me this morning. I have gone out for breakfast and a policeman has stopped me to ask what Spanish team I was from. Then he asked me if I belong to Cristiano or Messi. I have told him that I am more of a Cristiano and he has been surprised. He went to where his partner was and told him: 'I have won the bet, it belongs to Cristiano'. They know little about Spanish football, but Real Madrid and Barcelona and Cristiano and Messi is the first thing they name you when they find out that you are from Spain.
What is your goal in Belize? Have they signed you for immediate results or do you want me to structure the club?
My only goal now is the CONCACAF League tie that we played on August 5. And then the league. Verdes is the current champion of the country and anything that is not repeating victory will be bad for me. Personally, my challenge is to structure the club a bit. At a methodological, organizational level … They are in great need in these matters.
Do you think you can reach the final round of the CONCACAF League?
It is difficult to enter the final phase because there are good footballers, but they have no base. The main objective of the country is to pass the first round. From there there are rivals from countries where football is much more professional. Getting there is complicated.
“Technically they are very good, but tactically they still have a lot to learn”
David Pérez, coach of Verdes FC
Are there good footballers in Belize?
I have met footballers who have surprised me a lot. Some are trained to play in much stronger leagues. Then there are others of a lower level. What I have noticed is the tactical difference with European football. Here tactically they do not understand football and it takes a lot for them to assimilate some concepts. Technically they are very good, but tactically they still have a lot to learn.
How do you plan to solve these deficiencies?
With a lot of work on my part and on the part of the coaching staff. We try to do double sessions so that there is physical load in the morning and we can do more tactical work in the afternoon. A lot of video, a lot of explanation and a lot of patience … The idea is that little by little they will understand and improve.
Are there good facilities in Belize?
I have found everything. We have a field that is made of natural grass, but it leaves a lot to be desired. The grass is a little high. Not bad, but it is very hot here and it takes a lot to take care of the state of the lawn. We are going to play CONCACAF in a nearby city and there they have two very good artificial grass pitches, a very large stadium and decent changing rooms because that is where the national team plays. Our facilities as a club have to improve, but you have to adapt to the country you come to.
What is a day of yours in Belize like?
The day starts early. At 5:45 I am on my feet because if you don't get up early the heat is suffocating. We get together with the coaching staff and prepare the training. If we train in the morning we do it from 7 to 8:30, then we have breakfast and prepare for the afternoon training. We eat at 12:30 at the latest and at 16 we continue preparing training sessions. From 18 to 20 we train and at that time everything is closed here. You go down the street and you don't see anyone. You get to the room, have something for dinner and at 22 a bit of Netflix and go to sleep. They are working days. There is no time for more.
Do you eat well in Belize? Do you control the diet of the players?
We weigh the players Monday and Friday, but it is difficult to control them when they go home or are on their days off. They eat everything, but maintain the weight and have a privileged physique. They have incredible muscles and, honestly, I am amazed by all the fat they eat throughout the day. I already told you that as long as you maintain your weight, there is no problem. That with care, but without problem.