“At last it happened… This is a dream and, at the same time, a great responsibility. The biggest of my career. That is why I want to thank all those who have allowed me to get here and the trust of President Fabián Borro and the Board of Directors of the Confederation. And also announce that mine will not be a personalist leadership. It will go through listening, composing, continuing and surrounding myself with the best. A new cycle begins in Argentine basketball, always respecting a legacy. I am eager and excited to go for the big goal that Argentina remains in the elite of world basketball”. From San Juan de Puerto Rico, after finalizing the details that remained to become the new coach of the Men’s Senior National Team, Néstor García told his feelings and advanced goals and concepts of his management, which will have its official debut on November 25, at home, against Paraguay, at the beginning of the qualifying windows for the 2023 World Cup.
Fabián Borro, president of the Argentine Confederation, showed his satisfaction and listed the reasons for the arrival of this 56-year-old from Bahia who has been in the profession for 33 years – he started at 23, being an assistant in Puerto Rico – and an impressive resume (see La Che’s trajectory). “The choice of Nestor is that of a natural candidate for this position as absolute coach of the Argentine National Team. Due to his ability, gift of people, charisma and great international experience, he is a permanent candidate and reference of many presidents of the area to lead their selections. His extensive and successful career led him precisely to meet important objectives with different national teams and now we feel that it was time to take charge of ours, “he said.
García did not enter into his happiness after the last meeting that confirmed his hiring on Monday. “It is a very special day because even though I directed in eight other countries, I feel very Argentine and I wanted this opportunity. It’s something amazing. Because I was everywhere but, in the end, I wanted to lead our National Team. I already did it in that South American (NdeR: undefeated champion in Chaco 2012, with Leo Gutiérrez as MVP and two young talents like Facu Campazzo, Nico Laprovittola and Marcos Delía) and before as Julio’s assistant (Lamas) in the Pre-Olympic, but this will be something else. Today I truly feel that I made a career ”, he analyzed in a talk with Prensa CAB.
In Garcia’s case, He has already led a total of 30 teams (21 different) in nine different countries, but nothing compares with the brand new news. “This appointment is the most important in my long career because one thing is to represent the country as a foreigner and another is to be inside. I have had to play against Argentina, listen to the anthem of my country, the one that hired me and believed in me, and Argentina’s opposite, and they are very strong things. I am very Argentine, in everything. And I feel that this recognition they give me is more for what I was outside and now I have to ratify it inside. And we will try to do it in this new stage, “he explained, who achieved three very significant titles with the Venezuelan team (two South American, 2014 and 2016, and the 2015 World Cup, beating Argentina in two of them in the final).
Che will succeed Sergio Hernández, who left his deep mark after 12 years at the head of the national team and made it clear that he will support and help the new coach in whatever way he can.. “I have only eternal admiration and respect for Sheep. We grew up in the same city and I have seen how it has transpired with its accomplishments and work ethic. Argentina had the coach they needed at each stage and now it’s my turn. I will replace one of the greats in this continent, someone very recognized in the world, who had an impressive career in the National Team and to whom we must be grateful “, he highlighted.
When speaking of objectives, he described that the main one will be “to maintain the place in the elite that Argentina has occupied for decades.” He spoke of the importance of the results, of the ranking, of continuing among the powers, but clarified that “sports will go hand in hand with this new stage in which we will seek to bring everyone together. I am someone with a very pure feeling towards everyone, I am not prejudiced or have differences. I feel that I arrive with support in all sectors, but with each one I will speak and listen. It would be a mistake to shut me down. I am going to surround myself with many people and the best there is, because a new time is coming for me and even for those who have already participated in great things. We will have to adjust to that change and seek to continue growing ”, analyzed who in 10 days will travel to the country to start work, watch the National League from its beginning and define its coaching staff.
CHE’S TRAJECTORY
García began directing Gigantes de Carolina professionally in Puerto Rico in 1989. Then, in 1990, at the age of 25, he made his debut in the National League directing Estudiantes de Bahía Blanca, his hometown. At the local level, he won the League with Peñarol de Mar del Plata in 1994 and the Super 20 with San Lorenzo, in 2019. With clubs he was also champion in 2000 of the Professional League of Puerto Rico with Cangrejeros de Santurce and in 2006 of the Venezuelan Professional League (with Delfines de Caracas) and the Superior Tournament (with Trotamundos de Carabobo). In 2011 he repeated with Marinos de Anzoátegui. In 2009 he was crowned in the Uruguay tournament with Biguá, a team with which he achieved the Top 4 of 2008 and the South American this year. He also celebrated the League of the Americas with Guaros de Lara in 2016. He led a total of 30 teams (21 different, repeated five, some on various occasions), from nine different countries. He played 15 finals and won 9, contesting 11 definitions with 11 different teams.
With Selections, he established himself in Venezuela because between 2013 and 2016 he injected discipline, confidence and playing identity to his national team, which was reflected in two South American titles (2014, beating Argentina in the final, and 2016, beating Brazil ) and a Pre-Olympic (2015), which he reached after beating Canada in the semifinals (with 9 NBA) and Argentina in the final, achieving the Olympic qualification after 24 years. He also successfully managed Uruguay (2003) and the Dominican Republic (he qualified for the 2019 World Cup and achieved the first qualification for the second phase). With Argentina he already won: he won the South American 2012 and before, as assistant to Julio Lamas, the Pre-Olympic of Mar del Plata.
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