Marcelo Gallardobrand new DT Al-Ittihad of Saudi Arabiaexpressed himself “very excited and enthusiastic” about his return to work, after eight successful seasons in River Plate, in a different country and culture.
“I am very excited and enthusiastic about this great opportunity. It is a challenge to discover a totally different culture. I take it as growth, not just sports. Understanding how culturally I can get involved in a development structure. This motivated me a lot to come, it was the main reasons”Gallardo said in his first interview given to the official channel of the Saudi club.
Gallardo also referred to the qualities of Al-Ittihad, a team that is fifth in the Saudi league, 11 points behind the leader Al-Hilal and that has among its ranks the top scorer Karim Benzema.
“It is a team that has just become a champion, with good players, of good quality. With work, focusing on the club’s objectives, we can go in search of great achievements. The foundation is already there and that is important. We want to continue building”indicated the former midfielder of the Argentine national team.
The “Muñeco” highlighted that the agreement with the directors of the Saudi club was “quite quick” and thus reactivated his desire to return to work.
“I spent a year doomed to rest, after 8 and a half years in a club as demanding as my beloved River Plate, where I was born and have evolved from my sporting career to my person. After that I thought it was appropriate to rest and evaluate other possibilities , but after a year I felt like getting active”Gallardo said.
The new coach of Al-Ittihad aimed at “construction” to cement the team’s foundations in search of sporting achievements.
“Success, beyond winning or losing, is in the construction of club entities. Knowing where I was born from, I knew what the possibilities were. There was a great involvement from me towards the club and from the club towards me. “That made us build something solid, over time, and I want to express that here. Part of success is in construction and teamwork.”
Finally, he described the Al-Ittihad fan: “They are very passionate and accompany the team. That is good and helps. In the games, but also for the player. It is a constant back and forth. We hope to have that possibility to express ourselves and it will be a constant back and forth”.
Gallardo will make his debut as coach of Al-Ittihad next Friday when he visits Al-Ettifaq for the 14th. Saudi football championship date.
Source: Ambito
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