Albert Benaiges' appointment at Chivas last July last caused a stir. The Mexico-born Catalan was one of the pillars of Barcelona's success, installing a philosophy at youth level that lifted the Catalan club to new footballing heights and turned out world-class players the likes of Lionel Messi, Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta,
Benaiges lasted over 20 years in Barcelona and had an important role developing players, first as a coach and then as coordinator of La Masia, the club's world-renowned youth training academy. When he first walked in the door at Chivas, he preached patience as he attempted to overhaul the club's youth structure and recreate the Barcelona template of success.
"In the formation of players, the word quickly does not exist," he stated in his first press conference in Guadalajara. "We can't think that tomorrow we will have three Iniestas and four Xavis."
But not many big-name appointments last long at Chivas -- just ask Johan Cruyff -- and less than three months after signing up for the next major challenge of his career, Benaiges was out the door as Nestor de la Torre came in as president, Jose Manuel "Chepo" de la Torre as first team coach and the old order was restored in the club's youth system as part of the deal.
In an exclusive interview recently at his home in Guadalajara, which he will soon be vacating to take up a new position with Cibao Futbol Club in the Dominican Republic, Benaiges discussed his excitement at taking the Chivas job, the infighting within the institution, the state of the youth system in general and his disappointment at being ditched so early.
ESPN FC: What did you know about Mexican youth soccer before coming into Chivas?
Albert Benaiges: I was born here, so I've paid a little bit of attention to Mexican soccer from Spain. I honestly knew nothing about the youth systems; only a little bit about the first division. Everything I've learned is from August until now. I know Chivas best because I was there two months and three weeks as director of sporting development.
FC: What were your first impressions of what you saw at Chivas?
AB: First of all, what I found is that the level of talent is good. In each of the Chivas youth teams there are two or three kids that could play comfortably in (the youth teams of) Barcelona or Real Madrid. And after growing and discovering more in other areas, (I saw) they are two or three grades behind Europe in the level of knowledge or preparation.
FC: Where are they behind?
AB: One of the things that they don't do or do very little is interrelate physical preparation with football. I've seen a lot of coaches that do physical work that isn't adequate for the age of the kids.
FC: Were you going to change a lot of the youth structure at Chivas?
AB: Many things and concepts, like the Chivas clubhouse, which is that worst I have seen in all the world. A clubhouse without sinks, without showers, without a cleaning service. We changed it so the boys were more comfortable.
The second step was that two boys were hungry and we put them in a restaurant to eat. Basic things. The human development (department) had done absolutely nothing.
I'd give the parents, coaches and players a 10 -- great in all ways.
FC: What was the story behind your departure?
AB: It is very simple. The departure was natural. Although it wasn't my responsibility, the first team was doing very badly and when (Chivas owner) Jorge Vergara spoke with Jose Manuel "Chepo" de la Torre, one of his conditions was to put in place his work team. They went back to those who were there before, like (Jose Luis) "Guero" Real and Diego Martinez. I found a very low quality youth system. That's why it is difficult for them to grow if they don't change the mentality.
FC: But you had been warned about Chivas' penchant for going through staff with regularity?
AB: Yes. I'd been told about the convulsions. That club is very convulsive and very strange. Looking at other clubs, there aren't the same convulsions. I don't know if that is caused by the owner. I had been warned.
FC: Would you like to work again in Mexican soccer?
AB: It's the first time I've been kicked out of a job, no one has ever kicked me out. I was at Unio Esportiva de Sants for 18 years, 21 years in Barcelona, then I had a unique opportunity in Dubai and I left when my contract was up. For certain circumstances, I didn't return to Barcelona and two clubs from Mexico called. I was happy to come to my country. I chose Chivas because they only have Mexican players and it is the most popular club on the street. (The decision) I made was wrong. I'd like to return not just to Mexican soccer, but to Chivas to demonstrate what we could have achieved.
FC: Are there any very talented players in Chivas to look out for?
AB: All over the world there are kids with talent. There are lots of things that determine whether a player makes it or not, like their physical limit, development, environment. There are small kids that don't stand out now, but will later and the other way round. What happens here is that teams like Chivas and Atlas have favorable conditions to produce players.
The difference between here and Europe is that the more modest teams have a precarious existence. There aren't changing rooms, the pitches are really deficient and the coaches are poor. I think that is a burden on Mexican football. In Spain, they have a trainer, a good field, changing rooms and here you always see kids changing in cars, on the pitch. On the field, the ball is like a rabbit (bouncing along) because the pitches are very bad. Those (poor) infrastructures make the formation of players less than ideal.
FC: How do you view the work going on at youth level in general in the Liga MX?
AB: To be able to judge other clubs, I'd have to see them (close up). I've only seen Pachuca working for a week and the truth is that the installations are impressive. Marco (Garces) has everything very well organized; Agustin (Lleida) is a very high quality fitness trainer. It seemed a well-organized club with an opposing atmosphere to Chivas; more about work, collaboration and working as a team.
FC: Do you think there is a problem here in Mexico in players making the jump from being very good youth players to very good first team players?
AB: For many years, Spain won under-17 and under-20 championships and the full national team did nothing, but the fruits came later.
I think the Mexican national team will get much better. Although I'm not in agreement with a lot of things, the truth is that they look after the youth teams here. I think that work will bear fruit in the future.
FC: Working in Dominican Republic is the immediate plan, but is a return to Barcelona a possibility in the future?
AB: I don't rule it out. There are (presidential) elections in 2016; let's see what happens. I know that with the present hierarchy, there isn't any chance, because there is a problem with one of the people there.