This is an interview that Hoy Digital did with Paco and that i took the liberty to translate for you guys. My apologies if it's been posted somewhere else.
I'm leaving Liverpool because my family is above everything elseMarco A. Rodriguez/Badajoz
Two years ago, Paco Herrera boarded a plane to realize a dream. In little more than
a month he'll board another plane that will take him back to his home and will transform
that experience into the best of memories. In this interview with HOY, Liverpool's assistant
manager confirms his decision to stay in the Premier League for only two years, a promise
he made his folks some time ago and that he will now honor. Not without a struggle, like he says,
because Benitez offered him a new contract that would allow him to travel home frequently.
- How would you summarize your experience for the past two years as
Benitez's assistant at Liverpool?- The experience has been extraordinary, magnificent. Any word of praise
you could think of you would have to triple it, because it's a whole different way
of seeing football at every level, the organization and work habits are
completely different. The teams where i worked before all had economic
difficulties, while this is a very powerful club that has allowed me to see things
from a more relaxed perspective.
- That must be the main difference that you've noticed...- Of course. It's not the same to fight at a club like Badajoz, with a budget that
now seems laughable, than to fight against the best teams for the best players available.
This way everything might seem easier but at the same time the responsibility is much
greater.
- What differences in organization would you highlight?- You could write ten articles about this. Here the general manager is Rafa Benitez
and he has the power over any decision. Then you have the 'chief executive', who says what
we can buy and that's it. There is no President in the way. Rafa makes the decisions and we just pass
on the information to him. There was no 'shock' for me in the transition from one level
to another, because at the end it's all football, you train the same way, plays happen the
same way. The game is the same, but the way in which it is structured and the greater organization
leave no room for improvisation, unlike Spain. Here we are like a great family that exists in
a 'sports complex' where the public and the press have no access. You work as in an industry but with
great calm and peace which is not normal elsewhere. If you were to come in to interview us you'd have to
access the press lounge and not the training pitch. If you are a perfectionist, you think that you can
work here very comfortably, although at first the language barrier was difficult.
Is it safe to say that the language problem is solved? Hows your English?- Now it's fine, under control. For Rafa it was never a problem but at first it was rough.
Sometimes i have the sensation that I'm speaking indian but everybody understands me.
Your exit- When you went to Liverpool you were signed for two years while the other coaches had signed for five...- Yes, i spoke to Benitez, and signed for two years when everybody else signed for five. Why?, because
my proposition was different in all aspects. My family and my friends are my whole life and they are
above all and when the family needs your attention, you have to be there. It's above all. It's very important
for me to come back home, to be there in Badajoz with my people. I need it, because i was never obsessed with
making much more money or having bigger contracts. The basic thing for me is to be happy.
- When you left Badajoz you told your family: <<I'm leaving but only for two years>>. With your decision to go back
home when your contract expires you're merely honoring your promise?- Yes, that's basically it. What happens?. Well that this couple of months back I've had many doubts. Rafa,
who I'm very grateful to, has insisted that i stay. We talked about the contract and he offered me a clause
that would allowe me to travel to Badajoz four days every month. This made me reconsider things, but i had already
made my decision and I'm going to leave with teary eyes because I'll never find a better setting and surroundings than here.
- It must be very difficult to part ways with something like this...- Of course. It's not just about winning titles like the Champions, it's the way they see football here, the respect
toward professionals, the atmosphere at Anfield and the supporters. Asking for more would be a sin. So I'm leaving
with tears in my eyes and I'm taking with me the best of memories. The story here is different. Here they sign the
manager and his assistants for five years, so they can build a team and until the fourth year they don't demand the
results.
- That in Spain would be unthinkable...- That's why i say that here is like working in a paradise. The pressure is not as big on results and the president only
comes to greet you and say hello but doesn't get involved in things and it doesn't come out in the press. Sometimes you can
go for months without seeing him.
- Your last match will be the FA cup final. Is that a great way to say goodbye?- Yes. The thirteenth of May we will be playing the final in Cardiff and the League ends a week before that.
My contract ends the 30th of June, but i have told Rafa that i will stay until we solve some signings(three or four
players for the first team) and we finish that task, although it could mean i miss my vacations. I could even come
earlier and do it from home, because i don't want to leave any unfinished business.
Benitez- Lets talk a bit about the boss. How is Rafa Benitez or what is the key to his success?- Everybody asks me what is Rafa's way of football and his best virtue. His success comes from what, well i don't
think I've known another person that works as hard. He dedicates all day to football and is a person with a lot of knowledge,
because if you're dumb, for much effort you put daily...Working match to match, the exhausting study of your rival, the little
details, not leaving anything to be improvised and to try to win playing with balance using a 4-4-2.
- He will stay there for the five years and seems to ignore some temptations(Real Madrid)...- Yes. From what i gather, he won't move from there because it's every manager's dream job. Lets suppose he signs for Madrid and things
don't go so well the first month. He'd already be in trouble. That doesn't happen in Liverpool. Besides, Rafa has all the family issues sorted
because his kids are very young and he's signed for an extra year.
http://servicios.hoy.es/pg060427/prensa/noticias/Deportes/200604/27/HOY-DEP-279.html