My Basketball Career Helped Me Understand Football Better: Guimaraes
Alexandre Guimaraes, the New Coach of the Mumbai City FC for the 2016 Indian Super League
Internet Desk : He has been among the special recruits in the elite list of the marquee managers the ISL franchises will have in the season 3, starting on the 1st October. The Costa Rican mastermind, Alexandre Guimaraes who will be in charge of the Mumbai City FC side, has the rich experience of playing as well as coaching his national team Costa Rica in the FIFA World Cups. In an exclusive interaction with www.xtratime.in, the legendary Costa Rican unveiled a lot of stories of his life, starting from the struggles of his childhood to his basketball career. Let's read the excerpts: XT: After having such rich experiences in handling national team like Costa Rica in the FIFA World Cups, what dragged you to come to India? Guimaraes: The challenge, of course. I’ve worked in various Asian countries in the past and I had heard a fair bit about the Indian Super League. So when the offer came from Mumbai City, there was no doubt about it.XT: What was the actual reason for you to leave Brazil at the age of twelve?
Guimaraes: Back then, my father had been working with the World Health Organisation. When I was 12, he was transferred to Costa Rica. We didn’t really move anywhere after that point.
XT: I heard you started your career as a basketball player. What made you to shift into football?
Guimaraes: Sports have always been a huge part of my life. I’ve always been playing football. Basketball came later, when I was into my teens. It even helped me understand football better. I used to play both the sports, but only till a point. A point when I had to make a choice. And I chose football.
XT: You are one of those rare managers in the history of the ISL to have the experience of playing as well as coaching in the FIFA World Cups. What was tougher, being a coach or a player and why?
Guimaraes: It’s different, you really cannot compare. But your experiences and learnings as a player definitely give you an advantage at being a coach. As a player, you play with different teams, different teammates and different coaches. You see different kinds of styles, tactics and techniques. And when you’re a coach, you only understand them better. You know what to do, because you’ve been there.
XT: Costa Rican footballer Carlos Hernandez made his World Cup debut under your coaching. Later he played in India as well in the I-League. Did you have a chat with him before coming to India? Why was he left out from the 2014 FIFA World Cup?
Guimaraes: Of course. Carlos was a part of my Costa Rican squad for the qualification stage and later, the 2006 World Cup. He’s had rich experiences playing abroad – first Australia and then here in India.
XT: What are the outer plans you have with Mumbai City FC apart from winning the ISL season 3?How has been the pre-season trip in Dubai? What will be the new things you want to implement in your new stint in Mumbai City FC? How is the squad?
Guimaraes: Until now, I’ve been extremely satisfied with the players I have at my disposal. They’ve been responsive to the concepts and the style of football that we want to play here.
XT: What should be your prescription for the betterment of Indian football?
Guimaraes: The methods I’ve gotten along with Mumbai City are the methods that have had success in the teams I’ve previously managed – club and country. But each country, each team, each player is different. Working closely with every player is important. It helps increase their skill, their understanding of the game and their growth – physical and mental.
That being said, the Indian players here at Mumbai City have certainly been impressive. They have the determination to win, the character to fight, the hunger to achieve the results and most importantly, they always want to learn.
XT: What have been the most memorable and forgettable moments in your life?
Guimaraes: The most memorable moments? In life, the birth of my sons. In football, I’ve achieved whatever I could have imagined. I’ve played at a World Cup for my country, coached them at two World Cups and I’ve worked around the world with some great teams. The forgettable moments? Every coach has his ups and downs. But the key is not to look back and move on to doing better every day.
03 Comments
Karla Gleichauf
12 May 2017 at 05:28 pm
On the other hand, we denounce with righteous indignation and dislike men who are so beguiled and demoralized by the charms of pleasure of the moment
M Shyamalan
12 May 2017 at 05:28 pm
On the other hand, we denounce with righteous indignation and dislike men who are so beguiled and demoralized by the charms of pleasure of the moment
Liz Montano
12 May 2017 at 05:28 pm
On the other hand, we denounce with righteous indignation and dislike men who are so beguiled and demoralized by the charms of pleasure of the moment