The exrojiblanco Julen Guerrero He is delighted with his training work in the lower categories of the Spanish team. Although still aiming higher. After his accumulated experience as a player and the one he now lives as a coach, he proposes a recipe for the growth of today's young footballers.
Guererro he enjoys his job, helping De la Fuente in the under-21s and managing other teams below. “It is something very nice, especially for a person like me who has lived through all the categories in a club like Athletic. And giving that importance to working with the grassroots kids with that illusion, also to train higher. Now I am here, it is a very beautiful challenge, to see the kids make their debut in the absolute for all of us who work at the base is a great satisfaction, “he said in Onda Cero.
In the opinion of the Portuguese, “parents nowadays have a great influence on the development of children and the demands they can give, not to lose perspective. Most think they are going to go up, when the percentage is minimal, there are a number of kids who stop studying thinking that they are going to make a living from football when it is not. Consecration is very difficult, it is important that they have their feet on the ground, take them with great humility and give a tour of the clubs to those of the studies, which give it a lot of importance. You have to teach them not only football, but also life ”.
Warrior warns that “now they have the risk of social networks, of wanting to pretend too much and losing their minds a bit, of stopping doing what you have to do daily, training, eating, taking care of yourself, resting and having your head set on the day a day. That is why many may be able to stay ”.
The one who was Athletic's leading scorer recalls that “some stand out from below and are consecrated, others not so much and stand out later, others start out strong and fade away … There is no exact formula. You have to be attentive to their evolution, help them all. But the leap is not made by everyone. With 16-17 years it is a bit where you can see who is pulling up and who is staying ”.
He also puts on the table to explain the difficulties that “when you get to the top, the responsibilities are different, the level is different, life is another … The world of the elite has nothing to do with what you have done below, you have to give a plus of maturity, assume many things and do them in the field ”.
One of those who is trying to break through on the soccer planet is his son Julen jon, now in the first-year youth of Real Madrid. “Okay, with the illusion of any kid of his age to continue climbing, working hard, with his feet on the ground, wanting to do things well and working every day. Also with the illusion of getting the studies ahead. Taking the steps of a 16-year-old boy ”, he highlights Warrior.
At another level, players like Ansu Fati or Pedri at Barça and the national teams they are breaking down doors. “Some stand out before, others later … In their age they make differences, and already in First Division. We must highlight his maturity, having an extraordinary season and settling down ”, says the now coach of the Spanish Federation.
They try to instill a great spirit to regain the competitive front line. “With the lower categories we are trying to give them that mentality, from Spain always going out to compete, to win. Ambitious. The work is being done well, we are seeing many young people make the leap to the absolute and that is what most gratifies us, ”says the one who was the '8' of Athletic.