Jaime García walks at a slow pace through one of the passages of a village in the Parque Lantaño sector of Chillán, where his friend and squire, the former Ñublense goalkeeper coach, Ricardo Carrillo, still resides.
He organized his return to Cartagena, where at the close of this edition he was celebrating the 83rd birthday of his mother, Eugenia Arévalos.
“It is a difficult process, due to the time one was here, but I am happy because I have been with my family more, but when one loves the institution, one wishes it the best. I made friends here, Chillán welcomed me, I have a life project,” says the “Búfalo”, with a hint of nostalgia, months after his departure from Rojo’s technical bench and waiting for offers to reinsert himself as a coach.
-And what is this project in Chillán about?
-I bought land, I’m building a house.
-Why did you fall in love with Chillán?
-For the people. I liked it all. Its people, the city, its surroundings and I have made incredible friends, which was difficult for me in Cartagena. Furthermore, my daughter Renata is chillaneja. Someday I will go see Ñublense as a fan. It has been a process and I call to support the institution. Not everyone may like me, but I think I have left something important behind.
-What did you enjoy most on your trip to Europe?
-Everyone believes that one should go to Europe to look, but you know, it is more or less the same as what we do in Chile, but with some nuances. The return helped me a lot to know what I have to improve and to know where I stand as a professional. But culture is what makes the difference. How they train children. The tools they are given.
-And that can’t be replicated in Chile?
-Here we have everything, we can set up a modern infrastructure, there are many fields there. From the moment they enter the club, the children are given everything and they feel professional. Here, cadets travel and they give you bread with a drink. There the cultural, food and educational issues. Here they should be made to feel like professional kids. If they travel, do it on a good bus, if they stay somewhere, let it be a good hotel, good clothing, good courts. All of this makes the child aspire to reach the first team and always think about continuing in football. In Europe the child arrives very prepared to the first team, he does not arrive damaged.
-Did you decontaminate yourself from Chilean football, which at some point you said was full of shit?
-It has helped me get to know people. Ñuble has given me positive things, but others not so much. One is kind of lonely, but when one is at the top everyone looks for you and I don’t know if it’s out of interest, because it’s hard for me to make the filter for that, but life has taught me in these three months that I have to do things differently when directing. Have more filter, because in life, I open the doors to many people and then I see that they are not like one was with them, but those are the minimum. I love this city, I miss it, but it’s hard for me to come.
-Because?
-Because I was able to create a tremendous bond with many people. I have many friends here, anyone who talks about me without knowing me, I respect, because not everyone can like me. But these four years or so, he knew more extraordinary people than people I don’t want to see anymore. I have always accepted criticism, it does me good and I listen to it, although it is different when they do not tell the truth. I leave quietly, without speaking badly, because even when I was sick or hospitalized, I always gave everything for the club, also making mistakes, but together we corrected course and achieved beautiful things. Then others come and one must turn the page. It was logical that after so many successes, there was a bad vibe, but regardless of what they think of me, I will always speak well of Ñublense.
-Do you see yourself directing abroad or in Chile?
-I feel like I have to take one more step. I feel qualified to take quick processes. I am prepared, I would like to go out and direct abroad at some point, also take another step here in Chile. Also improve the negative things and enhance the positive ones. I’m not in football now, but I still do social things because I like them and when they ask me I go.
-How would you like to be remembered in Chillán?
-To the people who didn’t get to know me, I tell them that I always gave my all, making mistakes, but with the best intentions. Abroad they know me as the “DT of Ñublense”, for the same reason, but not because of my name. I grew up a lot here, if I challenged someone or hurt them, I apologize, it’s part of football, but it was never with bad intentions.
-Would you direct Ñublense again in the medium or long term?
-My wish is that it goes well for you. Each one knows internally what is done right or wrong, but I will always support Ñublense. I’m sure I’ll be the first to shout a goal because I’m a fan. I will continue coming, whether it bothers some or not and who knows if the planets connect… maybe I will come back more mature, I don’t know, if one day they need me, and if one day the planets align, why not? But now I want to let go and take steps, although I will always look askance at Chillán and my life project. I want the club, with all my heart, to do well. I became known for Ñublense and now also for my personality. I wish you the best in the world, a nice holiday, may 2024 continue well, because in more than four years, we have all worked together to succeed.
