Javier Calleja (Madrid, May 12, 1978) was about to sign for Sevilla a few weeks ago after his spell with Al Riyadh, his first experience outside Spain. The Madrid coach follows Spanish soccer closely and being ‘unemployed’ allows him to see how other colleagues work: last week he was watching the work of Cesc Fabregas at Como.What happened to not continue at Al Riyadh when the objectives were being met?
We had the peace of mind that we were doing a great job: we were eleventh in the table when we were dismissed with a team whose objective was to stay in the league. It was not a sporting reason. In the end, we arrived with the sporting director who started the season, the president fell out with him and then wanted to get rid of everything that had to do with his time there. That's why we ended our adventure there
We arrived hand in hand with the sporting director who started the season at Al Riyadh, the president fell out with him and then wanted to get rid of everything that had to do with his time there. That's why we ended our adventure there
Javi Calleja
Despite everything, was it a great experience?
I'm very happy with what we experienced. It was a spectacular experience. In terms of life, we were very comfortable, and it was also a different way of working, living and feeling football. We got to know one of the fastest growing leagues in the world and hopefully we can go back, because it is a competition that will give a lot to talk about. Overall, the experience was very positive
Were you close to signing for Sevilla a few weeks ago?
Yes, it is true that the option to go to Sevilla came up a few weeks ago. There were conversations with the board, but in the end they decided on another option and there is nothing to regret. We are very happy that a club like Sevilla looked at us. I wish them all the best
The option to go to Sevilla came up a few weeks ago. There were conversations with the board, but in the end they decided on another option and there is nothing to regret. We are very happy that a club like Sevilla looked at us. I wish them all the best
Javi Calleja
Recently with Al Riyadh you faced CR7, what is your opinion of him?
I think that the opinion we can have of Cristiano Ronaldo is very similar to the one that any fan who watches him from home can have. He is a special footballer, one of the best in history without any doubt. In terms of competitiveness, professionalism and ambition to always be the best, he is possibly number one. All the good things that are said about him fall short, because he is an example of how to work tirelessly to try to achieve excellence. He is a different, special player and, in a way, touched by a magic wand
Cristiano is a special footballer, one of the best in history without any doubt. In terms of competitiveness, professionalism and ambition to always be the best, he is possibly number one. He is an example of how to work tirelessly to try to achieve excellence. He is a different, special player
Javi Calleja
How many more years can Cristiano keep playing?
I think Cristiano Ronaldo's big secret is how he works his physique, his mentality and everything around his football so that he is practically ageless. He is a player who has achieved everything he has achieved through hard work and being the most professional in every detail. He takes that demand to the limit, and this is reflected in the level he maintains at an age when others would no longer be able to compete like that. Anyone who did not take care of himself in that way would be unable to perform as he does now. That's why, more than a question of age, it gives the feeling that he is going to play until he wants to
He is a player who has achieved everything he has achieved through hard work and by being the most professional in every detail. He takes that demand to the limit, and this is reflected in the level he maintains at an age when others would no longer be able to compete like that
Javi Calleja
Were you watching Cesc, what is your opinion of his work at Como?
It has been a very nice experience that we have lived these days in Como. I was really looking forward to seeing up close how Cesc Fabregas' coaching staff was working, because their work and results speak for themselves. They are fighting for Champions League places in a league like Serie A, with a team that just two years ago was newly promoted.
Do you have a football idea very similar to yours?
They're doing an excellent job. I love the idea of football that he has, because he always seeks to have prominence with the ball. It is clear that in his career as a player he has had great coaches. It is a brave team, and I have always had a weakness for teams that are not self-conscious. They are doing very well. With players who perhaps do not have so much name, they have signed very well and have built a squad with great merit. They are competing against anyone, even imposing themselves on great teams in Italy. It is very meritorious and we have really enjoyed watching them work.
I was really looking forward to seeing up close how Cesc Fabregas' coaching staff was working, because their work and results speak for themselves. They are fighting for Champions League places in a league like Serie A, with a team that just two years ago was newly promoted
Javi Calleja,
Which coach surprised you the most?R. I really like Spanish coaches, I think they are the best. I have been able to live these days with several of them in Como and you realize the high level there is. Luis Enrique, Arteta, Guardiola… are world-class references. Then, Jagoba Arrasate, Marcelino, Iraola, Michel… It is a very high level that exists. And I also like Ancelotti, Flick, Veljko Paunovic at Oviedo. He arrived after us and achieved promotion. I don’t think justice was done with his departure.What is life like for a coach without a bench?
It's a much quieter life, away from the spotlight. Even so, I think it was something we needed. The stage in Saudi Arabia was a learning experience in many ways. And now, at this stage, we are taking the opportunity to watch a lot of football, learn new ideas, talk to a lot of people and absorb a lot of knowledge. I still watch as many leagues as I can to keep up to date, keeping a close eye on everything that happens, but with a much more relaxed perspective.
Now we are taking the opportunity to watch a lot of soccer, learn new ideas, talk to a lot of people, and absorb a lot of knowledge. I keep watching all the leagues I can to keep up to date, very aware of everything that happens
Javi Calleja
What do you like least?
What is most missed is the day-to-day. I love the routine of the week when you're training, that daily rhythm is something very special. I like to get up early, go to training, talk to my coaching staff, share the day-to-day with the players… and, of course, the atmosphere of a matchday Sunday. That's what you really miss
Do you suffer seeing Alaves, Oviedo and Levante, your exes, there?Of course. I don’t like to see any of them in that situation, and I don’t like to see Alaves near the relegation places either. I wish they could all be saved, but I know that’s not possible. I especially feel very sorry for Oviedo, because those of us who have lived what that city and that fans are like know how they feel about their club. Everything they have suffered for so many years to return to the top flight and that they can lose it so quickly would be a huge pity.
I feel very sorry for Oviedo, because those of us who have experienced what that city and its fans are like know how they feel about their club. Everything they have suffered for so many years to return to the top flight and that they could lose it so quickly would be a huge pity.
Javi Calleja, entrenador
You were in the Real Madrid youth academy, how do you see Arbeloa? It's a very similar case to what happened to you at Villarreal
For a coach with no previous experience at the elite level, to arrive at a bench like Real Madrid's, probably the most demanding in the world, and get the team to function, is something very complicated and in many moments he has achieved it. It is true that in his career he has had ups and downs and that it has not been a totally regular path, but the team is still competing. He is a coach who comes from the youth team, respect him and bet on him. If he has been given the opportunity, he also needs time to develop
For a coach with no previous experience at the elite level, to arrive at a bench like that of Real Madrid, probably the most demanding in the world, and get the team to function, is very complicated and in many moments Arbeloa has succeeded. If he has been given the opportunity, he also needs time to develop
Javi Calleja
How do you see Villarreal?
Villarreal, little can be added: being third in La Liga speaks for itself. It's a great team, very consolidated, and I think the best thing that can be said about the club is that it has become a destination that any player and coach wants to go to. And that encompasses everything. That is the result of doing things very well: it has a good name, a good reputation and an environment that has not stopped growing and improving. Right now it is doing a spectacular job with Marcelino. To be third in a league like the Spanish one is a big deal. I am very happy, because it is the team that gave me everything. I was very happy there, it is the home team, and the truth is that I am very happy to see their success.
Villarreal is a great team, very consolidated, and I think the best thing you can say about the club is that it has become a destination that any player and coach wants to go to. That is the result of doing things very well
Javi Calleja
What about Malaga?R. Malaga is making me smile every time I watch the Second Division. First of all, because it is a team that I carry in my heart. We were very happy there, both my family and I; one of my daughters is from Malaga, so I will always wish them the best. I am convinced that our paths will cross again at some point.
Malaga is making me smile every time I see them. It is a team that I carry in my heart. We were very happy there, both my family and I, and one of my daughters is from Malaga. I'm sure our paths will cross again
Javi Calleja
In football, there is little patience with those on the bench…
Yes, it's something that's already very hackneyed. You always see that the first to fall when the team doesn't work are the coaches, and they are not always the main culprits. It seems that we all accept that if the team goes wrong, the only one who can pay the consequences is the coach. It has been shown on many occasions that many times it is not the cause – sometimes it is, and in those cases it is fair – but when it is not, it is still an injustice. Even so, football works like this, and those who are not able to live with that reality, with that part of injustice that sometimes occurs, can hardly dedicate themselves to this
Are Spanish coaches the best in the world?I'd say that Spanish coaches today are certainly on a par with the best coaches in the world. The rise of Spanish football in general, both in terms of coaches and players, is largely marked by the successes of the Spanish national team, with those two European Championships and the World Cup, which made the world look to Spain. They realised that in Spain there is talent at all levels: coaches, players and also club structures. This has opened many doors for us abroad, but it is something that has been earned with results.
It seems that we all accept that if the team goes wrong, the only one who can pay the consequences is the coach. It has been shown on many occasions that often he is not the cause – sometimes he is, and in those cases it is fair – but when he is not, it is an injustice
Javi Calleja
Are they a reference today?
The Spanish coach is currently a world reference, and this is known everywhere. It is no coincidence, it is the result of the work that is done from the grassroots, from the training, where in Spain we work a lot, not only in the elite, but also in the youth and lower categories. It is, in short, a fair recognition of all this work
Is it almost mission impossible for a coach to be given a three-season project?
It is possible to be signed for three seasons; what is really difficult is to be trusted for those three full seasons. That, unfortunately, is more the exception than the rule, and I think it shouldn't be that way. I don't think it's such a long period of time to think that in three years a coach is no longer useful. There will be cases where it is, even some where in less than a season it is already seen that it is not suitable. But in many cases – I would say in most cases – when you sign a coach with experience and who has performed well elsewhere, it would not be crazy to give him a three-year project. That margin allows you to get the most out of him, develop an idea and build something solid. In less time, it is often not possible for different factors.
Spanish coaches are currently a world reference, and this is known everywhere. It is no coincidence, it is the result of the work that is done from the grassroots, from the training, where in Spain we work a lot, not only in the elite, but also in the youth and lower categories. It is a just recognition of all this work
Javi Calleja
Does the coach have time to prove himself?
If he really were given those three years, it would be enough time for the coach to prove, regardless of the circumstances, whether or not he is up to the task. But nowadays, thinking about such projects is practically a pipe dream
