Like that of Mauricio Pochettino, Cristobal's period in Paris ended with the disappointment of a Coupe de France final lost on the wire against Auxerre (2-1), in May 2003. For the Spanish right side, it was is even his playing career that ended that night.
The two men have since become coaches.
After experiences in La Coruña and Racing Santander, Cristobal is currently without a club.
It was in Barcelona, where he lives, that we contacted him for an interview in Spanish.
“Sorry, I'm not used to speaking French anymore!
»Apologized the 53 year old man before mentioning the arrival at PSG of his former accomplice.
Did you keep in touch with Mauricio Pochettino, whom you were so close to at Espanyol and then at PSG?
CRISTOBAL.
After being team members, we obtained our coaching diploma together in Madrid.
And since then, each has followed their path and we have not maintained contact.
But his arrival at PSG is a good thing.
He is a coach who has proven himself and I am sure it is a great chance for PSG to have him at his head.
Why ?
Because he has already demonstrated his abilities in two major championships like Spain and England.
He set up and led a great project at Tottenham and reached the Champions League final.
In addition, as a former player of PSG, he knows the club well.
I am convinced he can do a good job.
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Is it difficult to be a PSG coach?
Today it's difficult to coach any big club because of the very high demands.
Paris have reached the Champions League final and now want to win it.
For several years, they have set up a “champion project” to win it.
And they have players who stand out like Neymar, Mbappé, Di Maria.
I believe that it is normal for the leaders to make big decisions to make profitable the investments which they made with these big players.
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When you were playing with Pochettino in Paris, would you have imagined that you would both be coaches?
Yes.
I think we were players with personality and a certain influence on the group.
And we knew our future would definitely be tied to football.
We didn't know if it would be as a coach or some other way.
But we were players who didn't just think of themselves, but of the team.
We had real character and authority.
You are both defenders, but you advocate attacking play, right?
He, like me, has indeed had teams with the desire to be actresses, who like to carry the ball.
As former defenders we may be a little more responsible because we know that even the smallest mistake can cost you a goal.
Is it a dream to train PSG when we played for this club?
It is something very nice.
A few years ago I had seen statements from Pochettino where he said that he would like to coach PSG one day.
Paris is a big club, which has big goals.
I imagine Mauricio will be very happy.
What had marked you during your stay in Paris?
More than anything, it's the tremendous support from the supporters.
Playing at the Park in this atmosphere… It really surprised me.
How do you see the next Champions League round of 16 against FC Barcelona?
For me, currently, PSG are clearly favorite.
They have a stronger team, with great players.
Barcelona are in a phase of transition.
Great players are gone.
There are young people who will certainly become very strong over time.
But today, I believe that Paris is stronger than Barcelona.
Is Pochettino the right person to finally offer the Champions League to Paris?
I'm sure that with him Paris can win the Champions League, yes.
He is someone with very clear ideas and a lot of personality.
He knows how to manage a locker room.
And that's important in a team that has so many current football stars.
He has the personality and the authority to unite the egos that there may be in such a locker room.
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Without Luis Fernandez, coach at the time, all this would not have happened ...
Yes, and I will always be grateful to Luis Fernandez for giving me the opportunity to play in the French league and at PSG.
I believe I gave him back through my work and my professionalism.
Do you still follow the news of PSG?
Yes.
Because it's a team where I played and which is close to my heart.
I watch everything they do.
Since leaving Santander in February, have you been missing training?
It's true that I wish I could do what I love. But I haven't found the project interesting yet. Must wait. I am calm. I hope it will be for next season. I had a possibility outside Spain, but the health situation cooled me down. But I am always ready to discover other cultures, other footballs.