In an interview with El Ágora Deportes on Radio Universidad de Chile, the coach of the “pirate” team talked about his state of health, what it is like to live in the city and the challenges that lie ahead.
By CRISTIÁN CARRIÓN N. / Photo: ARCHIVE
Fernando Díaz has a career that cannot be ignored. His extensive career includes achievements such as being a semi-finalist with Universidad de Concepción in the 2003 Apertura Tournament, a finalist with Cobreloa in the 2004 Apertura, and champion with Unión Española in the 2005 Apertura, among others.
Today he is in charge of Coquimbo Unidos’ excellent campaign, which has him at the top of the table. And with great possibilities of being a leader: “This is thanks to the group and individual levels of a very modest squad. With a lot of work we achieved good performance.”
It must be remembered that this Thursday, at 5:30 p.m., the “pirate” team receives Palestino to complete the pending match and, if they win, they could surpass Universidad de Chile in the table and remain the exclusive leader.
In the talk he cannot ignore one of the most complex moments of his life: the pneumonia that kept him on the sidelines for several weeks. Regarding his technical assistant, Esteban González, who was in charge during his absence, he says that “when you put together a work team, you choose the most suitable and competent ones. That’s why everything continued its course during my absence,” highlighting that he and his collaborator have been friends for a long time.
Regarding his stay in Coquimbo, he says that he arrived here “two years ago, and I don’t really know how to explain it… But my stay in the city has been magical. I am very comfortable and happy. I think that since I arrived I felt the love and respect of the people. I have tried to repay that with the team’s performance on the field, which has been very favorable.”
Regarding Luciano Cabral, the topic of the moment, he says that “the intention is not to depower the squad. For me, let him stay. He is a fundamental player.” For this reason, he told the leadership that I hope no one leaves “and thus fight for the championship, without giving those advantages.”
