Gaizka Mendieta (Bilbao, 1974) is one of the benchmark English players in the early 90's, especially, for his time at Valencia CF (1992-2001) with which went on to win the Copa del Rey (1999)-scoring in the final the best goal of his career and a Super Cup in Spain (1999), in addition to play two Champions League final (2000 and 2001), and in both voted best midfielder editions of the competition. club moved to Lazio from Valencia in a historic signing of 48 million euros, the highest by a English footballer until the recent signing of Fernando Torres for Chelsea after rejecting an offer Real Madrid. Il Calcio was not so lucky, where he played just 13 games. Back to Spain and after playing one year at FC Barcelona on the orders of Van Gaal, moved to English football at Middlesbrough FC, a small club with aspirations where he remained from 2003 to 2008. In his first season he played 31 games and won the League Cup (2004), which allowed the the UEFA club next year, reaching the lost final against Sevilla.
With the national team, Mendieta played around 40 matches and played in Euro 2000 and the 2002 World Cup. Today, from England, where he now lives, is kind enough to attend to learn the sport to talk about football and life.
"A coach makes his authority with honesty"
FRANCISCO ALCAIDE. Gaizka To start, what changes has seen the football game in the last decade and where does it go?
Gaizka Mendieta. I think the physical aspect is becoming increasingly important. Of course the technical quality is necessary, but always accompanied by physical condition. In my opinion, a good planning that is known to administer to players throughout the season is vital. The combination of both facets is ideal, the players today have become athletes.
FA: You've played in Spain, England and Italy. What differences exist today between the English and English football, both in the field or outside it?
GM: I think less and less, though of course there are cultural issues that hopefully will not change. English football has changed, in my opinion for the better, especially with regard to the preparation of the parties, in the way of training in how to play but yet still managed to maintain the essence of football, as to understand that is something that English football should never lose and that makes it so attractive. The matches are one on one, open until the last second that the attack and the vertical take precedence over everything. In Spain, the parties more or timed well with the ball or not. Still for me are these two countries are the best football practice, both for the viewer to the player.
FA: And with Italy?
GM: In Italy, the physical and tactical aspect is very important, which sometimes come to have too much presence and makes the matches are sometimes less visible.
FA: What are the main lessons taught you about football?
GM: Football teaches you many things, good and bad experiences you live and you learn them all. And I think the sport in general. In the case of football teaches you mainly to be respectful, tolerant, to be someone besides football. Fortunately today the football needs of people in addition to good players, because players are the example and the mirror in which many children are watching and I think it is a responsibility which players assume today.
FA: When Jose Antonio Camacho said: "When a coach comes into a dressing room the players say: this control, or it does not paint anything." How do you win an authority in a costume?
GM: With honesty. I think if you ask the players all want to be told the truth, they want a coach who talks to you and know you explain what you have to do to play or to enter the computer if you're not. Of course, there are decisions that not everyone likes but in the end you know it's for the good of the group, and that is why everyone should understand. That's where the coaching staff must play its part to get everyone motivated, which is not easy with a staff of a football team.
FA: Our experience tells us that one of the greatest enemies of the teams are the egos, especially where it accumulates a lot of exceptional talent. How do the players considered "normal" the presence of others considered "Stars" on a computer?
GM: Everyone should know what their role on the team, there are players who play forever, others who play almost always others who play sometimes ... but it sounds like a cliché, is a proven fact: All players are just as important as the demands of football today requires the entire workforce over a season. And again the figure of the coach (coaching staff) is very important for all players to feel indispensable in the team.
FA: Soccer is a field where everything is magnified too much, victories and defeats, that test the emotional balance of its protagonists: the players. Gaizka How does the role of sports media?
GM: They have much power. Have much influence on the fans and everything that surrounds the world of sport. They are able to manipulate information according to their own interests. It is also true that fans do get a lot of information that would otherwise be impossible.
FA: What is more difficult to manage, the success or failure?
GM: I think both, although the ends are always complicated. Personally I think it should be a balance, is best for emotional stability, so that the player's confidence is constant and does not have ups and downs, nor its performance. That said, failure is likely to require more attention, care and dedication.
FA: In football it is important to the four aspects: physical, emotional, tactical and management. How important to give each of them?
GM: To ensure a professional job well done, that success (in that we would enter a value other factors), the four are needed. Of course, those four will be more likely to achieve success, that only alguno / s of them separately.
FA: What is the hardest thing in managing a wardrobe?
GM: I think the coach has to be a good psychologist. Have 25-30 players / people and have to get them all motivated and happy with their situation, understand and accept that all the address in the group. And I think, as I said before, that honesty is very important.
FA: FC Barcelona has several years of spectacular success when it seems that exhaustion does not arise from nowhere. How do you get to keep healthy tension that level without falling into the accommodation which we understand is natural?
GM: That we would have to ask Pep, because certainly I think is one of the secrets of the success of the club. When you see a team that never lowers his arms, even when you are winning 3-0, we can ensure that there are a lot of work behind it. Surely there must be well above the players and know them well, if it is true that training is something that is perfected with training, with the dialogue.
FA: How much professional players are aware of the need to develop their employability for when finished his sporting life?
GM: Fortunately I think that has changed or has changed. And there is much to see the people you are around a player and I think we are becoming better advised.
FA: To finish Gaizka. What would you grow up? What future plans do you have?
GM: Well, somehow I would like to stay connected to football, although it does not as yet know very well. So keep looking and waiting.
Gaizka Mendieta, footballer
1. "Mou or Pep?: Pep.
2. "Cristiano Ronaldo or Messi?: Messi.
3. Who will win the Champions League?: hope that a English team.
4. What League?: Barça.
5. And the Copa del Rey?: Barça.
6. A historical reference player for you: I liked Gullit. Strength and quality.
7. A trainer historical reference for you: In my career, Hector Nunez was the first that was continued in Valencia.
8. A special stage in your career as a footballer: Mestalla.
9. A special party in your football career: The final of the King's Cup 1999.
10. A song for motivation before a game: Rock and Roll.
Gaizka Mendieta, person
1. Define yourself in two words: loyal and respectful.
2. A tip for advice: perseverance.
3. A virtue that you appreciate: honesty
4. A defect that can not stand: Lying
5. A movie you would recommend: High Fidelity, Stephen Frears.
6. A book I recommend. On the Road, Jack Keruac.
7. The greatest ally of man is: man (humans).
8. The greatest enemy of man is: man (humans).
9. What more dost lack in society: respect, solidarity.
We leave the best goal Gaizka Mendieta in his career, in the final of the Copa del Rey 1999 against Atletico Madrid.
* It is also worth seeing the excellent report of Foot Maldini on Mendieta (01/06/09) where he talks about his football career.
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