Hours after going to the STJD (Supreme Court of Sports Justice), in the center of Rio de Janeiro, to attend the trial on the events of Botafogo 3 x 4 Palmeiras, John Textor ran to the West Zone of the city to meet Juninho Pernambucano, Lyon idol. The subject? A business meeting with Juninho Pernambucano.
John Textor talks about his relationship with Juninho and future projects between clubs
The former midfielder is the main target and is close to being hired as an executive at Eagle Football, the North American’s multi-club network. The choice involves him being Brazilian and one of the greatest players in Lyon’s history, which equates to two of Textor’s main teams.
In an exclusive interview with ge, John Textor, owner of SAF do Botafogo, valued Juninho, who is close to accepting the new role, and explained how he will help all the clubs that are part of the network. The former midfielder, it is worth mentioning, was OL’s football director between 2019 and 2021.
1 of 4 John Textor thanked the work done by Jean-Michel Aulas at Lyon — Photo: Getty Images John Textor thanked the work done by Jean-Michel Aulas at Lyon — Photo: Getty Images
– Everyone is so excited to see him get back involved with Lyon. The truth is that we had good times together. He cares about a lot about his former club, Lyon. It’s clear that he cares a lot about football in Brazil, he lives here now, he became a grandfather. He likes his life here. But yes, he really wants to help. I didn’t ask him to return to France. He loves his life here and we are just getting to know each other. He knows we have this joint school project – said Textor.
2 of 4 Juninho Pernambucano as Lyon manager — Photo: Nicolò Campo/Getty Images Juninho Pernambucano as Lyon manager — Photo: Nicolò Campo/Getty Images
– While he was at Lyon as a player, he learned a lot about big schools; and while he was at OL, as an executive. The Lyon Academy is one of the best in the world, so this kind of knowledge of the game as a player and as a sporting director develops knowledge of the academy. It’s incredible for this joint project we have here in Brazil. So in that way, I think Lyon will get a lot of attention from him, which you know we certainly need. And then Brazil, I think will benefit from Botafogo.
Juninho will be the central point of the project for Botafogo’s new training center, which also provides integrated spaces for Lyon, Crystal Palace and RWD Molenbeek, John Textor’s other three clubs. In June, ge exclusively showed photos of the drawing.
– It’s a huge project for Brazil. The idea is a multi-club collaboration, with big, beautiful spaces, where young people are not only trained in football, but also educated at school, something South America has never seen. This could be a path for all South Americans and especially for Brazilians. Athletes, to enter the world of football, not only need to be prepared to be great athletes, but great people. It’s a path to winning championships here with Botafogo, or realizing some of your dreams in Europe. So this project I think is just attractive to him. There’s a lot of him. I can do this.
3 of 4 Project for the future CT of Botafogo — Photo: Reproduction Project for the future CT of Botafogo — Photo: Reproduction
– No one has ever built this type of installation, no one in the world. Everyone talks about the fear of multi-clubs, but what people don’t understand is that when you build an academy and take children’s dreams to that academy… For me, a club doesn’t have enough places to please and develop all these children. So, imagine if you have a true multi-club collaboration, not just from Lyon, but from Botafogo, Crystal Palace, other friends of ours around the world. The last time I traveled from Europe to Brazil, I was on a flight with Liverpool’s chief scout.
4 of 4 Project for the future CT of Botafogo — Photo: Reproduction Project for the future CT of Botafogo — Photo: Reproduction
– The idea is to build this multi-club collaboration where Botafogo has access to the best athletes in South America who are trying to train with us to make their dreams come true, whether at Botafogo, helping us win championships, or a few years later going to Lyon, Crystal Palace or Liverpool. Nothing has ever been done like this, so I felt that Juninho was really excited about this project, and it’s clear that he will do everything he can to help Lyon. I’m getting excellent advice from him. It’s a critical moment in what’s happening at Lyon and also for Junior, what a fabulous guy for the job.
John Textor complains again about Adryelson’s expulsion and analyzes Botafogo’s campaign
Juninho Pernambucano helped change Lyon’s status during his time, winning seven consecutive French Ligue 1 titles. There were 14 cups lifted with the club, between 2001 and 2009, 343 games and 100 goals scored by the team.
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2023-12-02 07:00:51
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