Pumas UNAM Appoint Justice
It was the 14th of October 2017 and fresh of a flight from New York City with his family, it was announced that Nick Justice was to become the new manager of Mexican side Pumas UNAM in the New World Order league.
A league divided up of some of the worlds elite and some many feel have a long way to go to grace the title of elite. It was a league put together by the CEO Rob Harris, who himself decided to take part in all the event itself as well as taking on a share of the ownership of the league, one that many are still skeptical of his ties to both league and team. Especially with him taking Swiss outfit Grasshoppers- we all know what the Swiss and football have in common and it's not something thats gone unnoticed! However only time will tell if he can divide his time between running the league and running a club within it; let's hope there is no funny business!
Anyway back onto the breaking news out of Mexico and the appointment of new manager Nick Justice, 23, the English born manager was taking a short Holiday and break away with his stunning wife in the great City of New York, where he attended both a Football (soccer) and Ice Hockey match prior to deciding to take a side just over the border in Mexico! He decided that the weather suited him and where better to go than Pumas UNAM in order to search for better weather than his home town of Chelmsford, Essex.
It was an appointment that shocked quite a few, especially with Justice's very minimal and lacklustre Spanish speaking abilities, but he has assured that shall not be an issue and has brought with him, Guti to work along side him, the former Real Madrid and Besiktas playmaker will sit on the bench beside him and help with the transition and especially with the translation from him to the players out on the field.
In the United Kingdom we have seen a language become a barrier for some managers, the likes of Fabio Capello and Walter Mazzari have both fallen short, but if Mauricio Pochettino is anything to go by then Pumas UNAM could be in luck!
It's not yet been said what Justice's plans are for the team, in the past he has been known for managing in a certain way, and thats been to bring in young talent from all around the world to build a side up and create a large sense of sustainability within the side, he's managed such clubs as Bury, Queens Park Rangers, West Ham and Juventus in his managerial career thus far which has brought with it a variety of successes, and even in his young age of 23 he has already gained quite the reputation within the soccer manager and management industry.
Justice has taken over a side much in need of a bit of rebuilding and especially if they are to avoid a bottom four finish come the seasons end. They have some decent players already, especially Nicolas Castillo (Pictured) , who has already become quite the fan favourite in his time with the club so far, he could be a player Justice could utilise should he decide to keep the Chilean International forward. The 24-year-old is one player that Justice has hinted could stay with the club despite a vast number of exits and new signings expected in the coming days.
Castillo along with fellow Chilean team-mate Bryan Rabello are both expected to be key players for Justice this term. The new gaffer has expressed that changes are needed to be made prior to a tough season, but he is under no illusion that it'll be easy and knows that the two mentioned players could be key in ensuring any kind of success.
After his appointment Justice did meet with the media and he was more than open about everything Pumas UNAM- here is what he had to say following his appointment, " I'm delighted to be here and have an opportunity to manager Pumas UNAM in what will be a very tough league. Me and my team have met with the team today and we've spoken with some players that will be remaining at the club, as well as some of the players who will be seeking pastures new. I have a strong philosophy in building for the future and creating a sustainable club for myself and the fans, we do want success but in this tough league it'll be no quick turn around.
I had opportunities all around the world, but decided that Mexico was right for what I'm looking for, especially for the now and it will be a team I see as a project to make this side bigger and better globally. We have some talent in our ranks and we have some players I deem surplus to requirements and they know who they are, if they don't buy into me, I simple cannot buy into them- I only want players who want to play for me and more importantly for the badge on the front of the shirt and not just the name on the back!
Sure I have my transfer targets but I'd be stupid to blurt out any names at this point, it's something we shall keep close to home until anything is over the line and the player is here at this impressive stadium holding up a Pumas UNAM shirt. I have some great connections at some great clubs, which I shall be hoping to exploit in order to bring perhaps two or three players in on-loan if possible, and even try to bring in some players on perm deals too.
I didn't take on this job for it to be easy, it a challenge and one I shall relish!"
So as we can see the new gaffer is under no illusions of the task ahead, it's going to be a long and tough season for the Mexican side, let's hope it goes to plan for the newly appointed English gaffer!
Over and out!
