Jean Ferrari: “The title proves that the one who has the most money is not the one who always wins” | INTERVIEW

— First, why did you travel to the United States and not be with the group in Matute? What can be known about your state of health?

I traveled due to a health problem that was detected in time, thank God. When the doctor spoke to me it was clear: an emergency operation had to be performed because it was a myxoma in the heart and there was a risk of detachment. It was my life or being present in the final two games. But I never stopped trusting the team. And, above all, believe in the work of Jorge (Fossati) and the players. I knew they were going to be up to the task.

— Is it true that you had a video call with ‘profess’ Fossati before the finals and he promised you the championship?

I sent him a message that I think was very emotional and he responded immediately, almost in tears. We are on the same page. She has given us hierarchy back.

— Who thought of taking Piero Alva, ‘Puma’ Carranza and ‘Coco’ Araujo, three flagships that only won finals in the ‘U’ against Alianza?

I had been thinking about the lack of respect from their goalkeeper (Ángelo Campos), when he entered our field with his team’s flag, provoking us, and the FPF Disciplinary Commission washed its hands of it. We turned it around several times. It occurred to me to respond with quality and integrate the delegation into the visit of three footballers who marked an era, who brought back good memories and even more so on their field. Furthermore, ‘Puma’, Piero and ‘Coco’, three symbols, work at the club, so it was them. And it worked wonders.

—You said to your closest circle, after the championship: “I’m floating.” What is the phrase that would define this long-awaited title?

One word I would say: Planning. This champion was planned.

—You are a very fan and you are also openly anti-Alianza. Is this title a personal revenge?

More than a punishment for them, this championship serves to show that in football nothing is said, that the one who has the most money is not the one who always wins. Not the one who talks the most. That’s the beauty of this sport: today the formation of a great team defeated a single team of individuals. The ‘U’ is not only a good team, it is a great locker room.

—Will you ask for Matute’s disqualification after what happened on Wednesday, the flares and the blackout?

We want a sanction, but we leave it to the Mininter. It has never happened in the history of Peruvian football and could have turned into a tragedy. This has left a stain nationally and internationally.

— Ureña said that he will stay for three years. Rivers? What can be said about those who already renewed with the U?

Those renovations are already there. Ureña, I told you when we signed him, he is a lion. He came to win everything. The same as Riveros, a great opportunity that was presented to us and there are the results. There are a few missing but we are on the right track. The champion’s base is going to stay.

— Are the returns of Ruidíaz and Trauco closed for 2024? I understand that you have spoken with them.

We haven’t seen it yet because we’re prioritizing champions first, but I’m not ruling anything out later. They are both club players.

— Is it simple about Ruidíaz?

No, because he has a contract in Seattle. But let’s see. He will depend a lot on what Raúl can do. As in the case of Edison (Flores), perhaps he negotiated with his club and then we entered.

— Is it true that the ‘U’ will make a formal offer to Yotún?

Yes. We want it. And I personally love it. He is an ideal reinforcement for the Cup: imagine that midfield, with Rodrigo, Piero, Martín. We’ll see.

— Today there are more than 30 thousand adherent members. How many are waiting for summer, the beginning of the Centennial year?

The adherents have been key in this year’s institutional growth, it is a program that has worked perfectly, and the more we are, the faster we will pay the bankruptcy debt, which is what we aim for in 2024, to start paying it.

— Become a two-time champion in the Centennial or fight in an international tournament?

Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, today we have to celebrate, after ten years of drought, winning this championship, on the road, against the eternal rival is a dream come true. In addition, we were champions again with the Lionesses in women’s soccer. Volleyball will play in the League and the Reserve is already in the final. We are not going to promise anything we cannot deliver, just work. Nothing else.