There is a story behind his turbulent departure from Unión and his controversial arrival in Vélez. And many questions that fans of all teams are asking, not only in Santa Fe and Liniers. After all, the case of Sebastián Méndez made noise because he was accused of breaking the unwritten codes of football. The truth is that, as Clarín was able to find out, the Galician had already planned to leave the Tatengue before the appearance of the Fortín. And there was a key call to accelerate his arrival at Amalfitani, that of Fernando Pandolfi, who shares a friendship with manager Christian Bassedas and with the coach himself.
El Rifle knew Mendez was not going to continue in Santa Fe for different reasons. The football and the personal. In the first item, there was a talk between the coach and Luis Spahn that left the coach on alert. The transfers of Santiago Mele (Junior de Barranquilla) and Lucas Esquivel (Atlhetico Paranaense) and the possible exodus of Imanol Machuca and Federico Vera could leave a team that was in clear ascent (added 14 points from the last 18) and began to take its head out of the lower zone. This situation, added to a delicate family situation, ended up convincing the Galician to stick the return home.
However, he planned to do so in the middle of the year, once the Professional League concluded. Spahn was clear. When Bassedas learned of this situation from Pandolfi, that mutual friend, everything rushed.
Only then was the talk between the technical secretary and Christian Bragarnik, Méndez's attorney, activated. Why did Union come out with a strong statement on Sunday? The leaders had no choice but to lash out at the coach a few hours after the happiness that caused the victory against Independiente and a hopeful campaign.
Without going any further, yesterday Spahn declared that they knew that Méndez would not continue at the head of the team since the same Saturday that Union thrashed the Red 3-0. "I didn't like what happened with Mendez. We understand that what he did is wrong. The coach won several titles there and feels that he has to help the club, "emphasized the president of the Santa Fe club in a media raid. He added, mysteriously: "We will never know if it was his decision or the office called and said 'come here.'" He also made a risqué joke: "Would I steal any technicians or go after Demichelis? More than for him, I would go for Evangelina."
Luis Spahn, the president of Union, knew that Mendez would leave.
From the Association of Technicians, Salvador Pasini told Clarín that they would not allow him to sit on the bench if the link with the Santa Fe club does not come before. But Union moved fast and this Monday evening closed the incorporation of Kily González as new technical director, while ending the link of Mendez. Meanwhile, Bragarnik is already fixing the fine numbers of the Galician's contract with Vélez. It is worth clarifying There are no union impediments to manage two teams in the same season.
"My family is from Velez. I kill and die for Velez. If the club ever needs me, just call me. If I'm managing Real Madrid I don't care, I quit and go. I'm never going to say no to Velez," Mendez told reporters Tomás Manuel Amerio and Sebastián Auro for the book Del Barrio a la Gloria. However, that talk is not in the pages of that work and transcended by a tweet from one of the authors.
"Velez is my life, I grew up there, I lived in the club. We did not have a guide to go on vacation and they gave me the pass to the pool. I walked in like a baby, I left like a man. I am what I am because of Velez," said the Galician.
He will return as a coach one step away from turning 46. Already without Lucas Pratto, who terminated his contract between the reproaches of the fans and the internal locker room. Mendez will have a job, of course. He must save the club that formed him, no less.
The role of Bragarnik
Much was said in the last hours that the arrival of Mendez to Velez came accompanied by a management of Bragarnik. However, the businessman told Clarín: "I didn't talk to anyone about that issue, but whenever I can, I'm going to help Velez." Fan of the Liniers club, he will make his contribution.