Tegucigalpa, Honduras.
Emilio Izaguirre has a motto and that is “what belongs to one belongs to one”, so he does not scratch his head thinking about what happened or could happen, because he leaves everything in the hands of God, who enlightened his career .
The historic left-back is considered the best legionnaire of his generation, having won 14 titles with Celtic of Scotland, so he believes that he lacked nothing in his successful career that he now continues as sports director.
Emilio governs several functions in his beloved Motagua, in which since he arrived in October 2022 he has not been able to chain two consecutive victories. ‘Milo’, in his interview with Diario La Prensa from the comfort of his home, spoke about the critical situation that the Cyclone is going through and his work plan in the capital squad.
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THE INTERVIEW:
How do you describe your career as a player?
A very big blessing. I have been a very blessed young man, I was a person who never got tired and I do not complain about anything. I have a motto that what belongs to one belongs to one, and I have not taken advantage of it, but rather enjoyed it. The British-Scottish culture made me grow to be very punctual, orderly, respectful, as well as ours with many ex-colleagues. I always hope to grow as a person and be an example not only for my family, but for many young people.
Do you think that of the legionnaires of your generation you had the best career because you won more titles?
Yes, it was a blessing. Winning 14 titles in Europe was not easy, nobody gave me anything. At Celtic, if I didn’t perform in two or three games, they would take me out and another would come. I always had that positive mentality of being a starter, and if I wasn’t, I stayed training, being a professional on and off the pitch. I was an example for many young Scots who have succeeded, so I hope to do it in Honduras too. Not everything was pretty, I had bad injuries, and I always overcame them, just as I had very bad games with mistakes, but I always got up.
Was something missing in your career?
No, I don’t think so, what more can I ask the Lord. I won many titles in Europe, I played youth world championships and two majors, I won a UNCAF title and the one we beat our neighbor in the Olympics. I always said in interviews that my dream was to retire in Motagua, but my last match was against Motagua and I got injured. I hope to sit in my living room and one day watch Hondurans play the UEFA Champions League.
Would you like a farewell?
It depends on God, He knows what will happen. If it doesn’t happen, I enjoy it. I am very grateful to the Atalas who have let me be the sports director of Motagua. I now enjoy soccer at Kennedy and La Vega playing games. If my farewell game takes place, I would like former teammates like Iván Guerrero and Milton “Jocón” Reyes to be there.
How do you live your new stage as sports director?
It is what I studied and I am preparing to manage and administer the club’s resources. I hope in the minor leagues to implement that DNA that players like Iván, Jocón, Ninrod Medina, Amado Guevara and Junior Izaguirre who have had love, that young people have a feeling of belonging to the institution.
Was this the Motagua you wanted or something better?
The coach asks me for a player and I, as sports director, bring him three options for him to choose from. Let it be clear that the coach is the one who chooses his team, my thing is to form the minor leagues with good coaches so that these homegrown players reach the first team and thus not be buying players. The objective is to have high-level footballers in the reserves.
I’ve been here for three months and we believe that the team will always be competitive with that hunger to win. After the game against Olimpia when there were eight sick (Concacaf League semifinals) the team fell into distrust, in mentality, it weighed losing with them and that they were champions. In Honduras the mentality is to continue obtaining titles to get closer to Olimpia.
Did La Tota leave due to fan pressure or was it time?
It was difficult because the results were not forthcoming, all of this was creating a very negative energy with the coaching staff, for whom I am very grateful.
Why was Ninrod chosen?
I do not want to go into details because those who decide are the Atala, they are private decisions of the board. We had work to analyze and Don Eduardo has seen many technicians, so he knows why he brought Ninrod.
How many changes will there be in the Motagua?
It is difficult to give an opinion because it is the coach who decides.
What has President Eddy Atala asked of you?
I love him as a father. When I started studying Sports Management and Management at the University of Spain at Conmebol, he was always sent the titles to have a job in Motagua. Now at the club they put me in management, control and analyst, there are many things.
Message to the fans
We are just like them, hurt and sad. Before, when I played, I would come out hot from the matches and then I would train, now I can’t even sleep, I suffer more than them since I am in charge of many things. We hope to win two games in a row because since I arrived I haven’t had that opportunity.
