Why do people who work in the South American football, so it is difficult to gain international recognition?.
It's all about the number of voting for the winner of each region. Asia, Africa, there are many other places that are much more "connected" to the European football. South America for their more distant. To draw attention to these regions, it is necessary to beat Barcelona in the Club World Championship. What we have achieved with the national team of Chile is well worth it. It helped us get up in the eyes of other countries.
Where were you when you learned about the nomination?.
In Chile. It was a shock, I could not even believe. I was very glad. Somehow I got the idea about the injuries that prevented me to achieve something in his own playing career. And, of course, about his players - without them nothing would have happened.
Unlike most other coaches, you do almost did not play football at a professional level. How did you manage to find a common language with the football environment?.
I look at everything a little differently. Players know what I think about football 24 hours a day. Also, I managed to play for an amateur team. Today in football forget some important things; I have good at explaining their.
Why on the left hand you have this tattoo ( "I did not listen, because the forbidden things give me experience life" - the words of the songs of the Argentine "Kaleheros" group)?.
If I listened to what people said, I would not coach. I did not have much chance of success than those who took a football career. But I tried to find a different approach to management. If I had listened to the other, it would have remained in Casilda and worked in a bank. But that sense of rebellion - do what you want, not what you say. I always looked at life. I am a romantic - here and decided to make myself a tattoo.
What is it for you - to constantly deal with the young and already successful players who have such different backgrounds?.
I try never to generalize, and to find an individual approach to each. They are all very different. But for all of football - it's a joy and a pleasure. I want all of them realized that to take responsibility, not afraid to lose, give not less than receive - all this is no less great than any other temptations of life. Chile Football team realized it pretty quickly, and they always play as if it affects their lives.
What did you do to win the Copa America in Chile in terms of football?.
Something I picked up from the philosophy of Marcelo Bielsa. Going out on the field, we tried to be as uncompromising and aggressive, but tried a little more focus on ball control. The team became more confident, we began to dictate the conditions in each game and win because of this. Now Chile can compete on an equal footing with any other team.
You left his post three months ago. What were you doing all this time?.
watched football. Frankly, it was hard to get used to. I used almost all the time devoted to football, but now look at a lot of games, communicate with people, analyzing the different championships.
What are you most worried about in this situation?.
Most of all I do not like the insecurity in their own future. There are rumors related to me, but I'm sure it's just chatter.
In fact, I do not know what awaits me. I hope everything goes as well as possible.
After all, through what you went through in your life, you can imagine that one day become coach of Argentina?.
I dont know. It does not depend on me. Neither Argentine coach would not have refused to work with the native national team. This is the ultimate dream of every coach. If I am offered the opportunity, I can not say "no".
Translation Yuri Paustovsky.