Poget: “In countries like Greece, when the president of the federation changes, so does the coach of the national team”

A great interview, with terrible words, which if nothing else will be discussed in Greece as well, he granted to Times the Gustavo Poget!

The former federal coach of our national team spoke to Jonathan Northcroft of his adventure in our parts, he was, of course, referred to his contract, which was never renewedwhile he said great things about the temperament of the Uruguayans, but also Manchester United’s games against Chelsea, in which, if he played today, he would go to… jail!

Specifically, regarding the issue of his non-renewal with the “blue and white”, he emphasized: “When I finished with Greece in March, to be honest the first month and a half I waited to be called for a new contractbecause the progress was clear and the natural consequence was to continue our collaboration. But Greece is another country, another mentality, another passion. There was a change of presidency in the federation and normally in these countries when there is a new president there is also a new coach. That’s how football is. But the experience was fantastic. I have no regrets».

In another part of his interview it is emphasized that “Poget is the most successful coach in Greece (of those who sat on its bench in more than ten games), but his contract was not renewed after the play-off defeat to reach the finals of Euro 2024, by Georgia, on penalties. “It hurts”who is not yet in charge. Facing England at Wembley on Thursday night in the Nations League is a challenge he would relish».

Poget himself emphasizes that was enjoying to be a federal technician and would do it againfinding two things particularly important for this work. The first, due to limited communication time, was “to focus on clear, key messages». This includes being proud of her defense. He likes to play from the back (““my” Brighton was unstoppable at this“, he says), but he believes that it has become such a “cliché” in coaching that many teams now they overdo it. ““His” Greece learned to play, keeping the opposition out of their goal and achieving clean sheets in half of his 22 games“, he says in the interview with the journalist.

The second was the relations with the players. “You come to them. It sounds like a contradiction, because at club level you have the players every day, but you would never call them in the afternoon to talk“, he says. “In the national team you have 30, 40 players all over Europe and you want to know everything about them so you can keep in touch and maybe it’s natural that players open up more on the phone.

I traveled a long way to see them too. I wanted to see them in their own environment. Like “Tsimi” (s.s. Kostas Tsimikas). He was fantastic for me, 100% essential, but he was having a hard time at Liverpool because he wasn’t playing».

And he adds: “So I went to see him and I have to say one thing big thanks to Kloppwhich was excellent. He let me be at training to watch. He made me stand on the field with him. I’d say, “I can go watch from the side,” and he’d say, “no, stay here.” “Cimi” is a top playerwho understands that he is competing against a very good player and character like Andy Robertson. What I love most about him is that he didn’t take the easy way out. He didn’t say “oh, I’m leaving and playing for another team”. He said, “I will fight for my place and become a Liverpool player.” This mentality took him to a high level».

“I would be in a coma for seven days”!

He then referred to his tenure, as a footballer, in Chelsea. He remembers arriving in London in 1997. His English was limited and he did not play well, but a cruciate injury – and yet – turned out to be a blessing. “I was out for five months and was able to learn the language, get my kids settled in school, see the culture from the inside and come back better. It’s spectacular if nothing else“, he says!

Chelsea was a great mix of huge personalities. The one (o George Weah) became president of his country. So many others became coaches, including a World Cup winner (Didier Deschamps) and the Champions League (Roberto Di Matteo). But the boss in the locker room was Dennis Wisefor whom Pogett was later assistant manager at Swindon and Leeds.

“There was an unforgettable moment in that Chelsea team. We had too many foreigners and everyone spoke a different language“, he says. “Dennis was not happy. He made a decision one Monday morning at the old training ground, Harlington, and called a meeting. He said, “from now on, when you walk through this gate until you leave, speak English”. And as Dennis put it, it wasn’t an opinion. It was a rule. It made us better, dramatically better. It brought us closer.”

For Christmas nights in London, the players would gather at 2 in the afternoon, so I would arrive at 7 in the afternoon. I couldn’t start at 2 – I’m not going to name names, but the way some could drink was incredible. And the next day, no problem. I would be in a coma for seven days»!

“We suffered against other teams – always with Arsenal – but not with United”

As for football, he emphasizes:I liked it. Far from home, up north, it was always difficult. Leeds! A typical question I get asked all over the world: Who was the toughest player you faced? Well, every time you faced Roy Keane, you had to be prepared. Because you knew it was coming.

In the tunnel I was looking and it was Dennis, Dan Petrescu, Robbie (s.s. Di Matteo) and myself in midfield. Plus Gianfranco Zola. My feeling, looking at the… opposition, standing there, has always been “you’re in trouble today”».

However, despite winning an FA Cup, the Cup Winners’ Cup and the Super Cup, the Premier League title eluded Chelsea under Poget. “We could beat anyone but we weren’t Mourinho’s Chelsea. On the day you don’t play well, win 1-0. We weren’t that team. United was.

“Gianfranco Zola, a genius”

The best player? Gianfranco. 100 percent. My definition of Gianfranco is simple: I was a better player when he played with me. Whatever your level, playing with Gianfranco will make you better. A genius. He knew everything. Technique, delivery, placement.

Every day in training he did something – a pass, a move, a dribble – and we all said, “thank you very much. Now we go home happy. You made our day”.

As for his future in coaching, Poget would love to coach in England againbut he is open-minded. Recently was close to another national team, with a country, that is very likely to reach the 2026 World Cup.

“The problem is, nobody wants to be the bad guy now. We loved being the bad guys“, he says. “Dennis Weiss and Roy Keane loved it. I don’t think any of the teams I played for in the 90s would have done well with VAR. Half of us would be in jail. Those Manchester United vs Chelsea games? Impossible! Now; No one fouls. I see teams lose 6-0 and nobody gets a yellow card. But these tough players, like Roy Keane, were also great footballers.

The problem is the academies. They only teach one way. They don’t teach pain, competition, contact. Don’t get me wrong. Contact doesn’t mean it hurts, but contact is part of the game. They say you can’t foul someone. Yes, you can. That doesn’t mean you’re going to kick him in the head».

However, this made him pause and think about something. “By the way, I got kicked in the head by Roy Keane in the Charity Shield”!

@eiregoatmoments On this day in 1997, Roy Keane welcomed Gus Poyet to the Premier League ???? #Keane #Premiership #Football #ManUtd ? original sound – EireGoatMoments

Regarding, finally, with them Uruguayans and their temperamenthe says the good thing at the beginning of his interview: “Me, Diego Forlan, Luis Suarez – if one of us negotiates with you, we negotiate everything. Can I have this fork? This napkin? How about this glass?

But when we sign the contract, we put it in the drawer and that’s it. Now it’s Saturday and I want to win on Saturday and that’s the only thing on my mind. We do everything to be a winner, sometimes we are a bit excessive, yes, almost crazy. But it’s natural. It’s the way we create children».