The Argentine Ricardo La Volpe, coach of Mexico in the World Cup in Germany 2006, assured this Saturday that in Mexico the coaches have a soft hand and the players are often undisciplined. “Great figures are difficult to discipline, only the 'Tuca' Ricardo Ferretti has no problem managing a team of figures like Tigres, but there are technicians who are light. In Mexico the players do what they want “, the strategist explained to Efe.
When La Volpe finished his process with the Mexican national team in Germany 2006, eight Tri players emigrated to European football, however that inertia stopped, which the strategist interprets as a mentality problem.
When referring to figures such as forwards Carlos Vela or Javier Chicharito Hernández, who have preferred to continue their careers in soccer in the United States instead of Europe, La Volpe blamed it on comfort. “They feel that it is easier, there they are safe and without pressure; there is a problem of mentality, that is why Cristiano Ronaldo is Cristiano Ronaldo or Messi is Messi. They are proud and want to show the world that they are the best”, said.
La Volpe acknowledged that it is worrying that Mexico's star striker Chicharito Hernández, who has played three World Cups with the national team, has opted to sign with the Los Angeles Galaxy instead of continuing in Europe. “He walked from one side to the other, he passed through Real Madrid and Manchester United; perhaps if he continued in Europe he would grow up in some other team, instead, it was easier for him to go to the United States to earn a fortune, with a comfortable life, unlike Raúl Jiménez who grows up at Wolverhampton in England “he added.
Another example he gave was that of Hirving Lozano, attacker of the Naples of the Italian soccer league, who had discrepancies with the coach Gennaro Gatusso. “In Mexico they criticize Gatusso without foundation. Here Lozano was the offensive crack for the quality he has, but he must learn notions of modern football and Gatusso told him things, such as changing his profile, going down to pressure or running to cover the rival; that's how the problem started “revealed.
For La Volpe, the Mexican player must understand the demands of European football and adapt to the requirements. He recalled that after his time in the Mexican national team, the players who went to football in Europe showed a hunger to transcend, something he does not see in those who emigrate today. “With me he did not go to the fifth game in a World Cup either, but he played a great role in the Confederations Cup 2005 and a style was inherited with players who opened up to the European market, all went hungry and eager, but now they want to be without pressure, here they lose a game and laugh, they sign autographs. Everything is lighter, in Europe it is different “he asserted.
La Volpe gave his opinion about the Mexican coaches who do not emigrate either and recalled that they do not have the opportunity to be seen. “The Mexican technicians do not leave because they do not see them. The Copa América or the Libertadores look at it in Europe, and Mexico is no longer due to economic or managerial reasons. It was a serious mistake to stop attending, when the invitation was already secure, but the leaders don't seem to notice “he concluded.