Marcelo Paz hails shelter at Corinthians, reveals why Memphis stayed | OneFootball

Amid the financial difficulties and the turbulent political climate experienced by Corinthians, Marcelo Paz pointed to the routine at CT Joaquim Grava as one of the pillars for preserving the work of the football department. The executive said that external problems do not interfere with the day-to-day of the players and coaching staff and also revealed details of the conversations that contributed to Memphis Depay staying.

In an interview with GETV, Paz explained that there is a separation between the club’s political issues and the environment dedicated to professional football. According to the executive, even members involved in Corinthians politics respect this division and do not go to the training center simply to watch practices.

Photo: Rodrigo Coca/Agência Corinthians

“Shielding is essential. It is fundamental for things to function properly, and that happens here. Everyone knows Corinthians is a club that has lived through a great deal of turmoil for many years. But the training center is protected. Even the club’s political side understands that it does not need to be here, so we do not receive visits from council members or directors just because they want to watch a training session or keep track of things,” he revealed.

He then stressed that any disagreements remain outside the space used daily by the squad. Even while acknowledging the financial obstacles faced by Corinthians, Paz said the department is able to carry out its activities without political interference.

“If there is any disagreement, it stays outside the gate, it stays at Parque São Jorge. Not in here. In here, this is a workspace for professional football. So I cannot complain about anything in that regard. At the training center, we have to figure things out here, within the difficulties that exist at the club, the financial difficulties everyone knows about, but we have peace to work here,” he added.

Paz sees outside pressure as part of transparency

The intense exposure surrounding Corinthians was also addressed by the executive. For Marcelo Paz, the fans’ constant attention to what happens at the club does not necessarily represent a problem. He believes Corinthians supporters also act as a kind of watchdog over the administration.

Paz also said that he follows everything related to the club, but tries not to let the political environment interfere with his football decisions. Within the administrative structure, he said he reports directly to president Osmar Stabile.

“We follow everything that happens at the club. Today, communication is very fluid, social media shows a lot. Corinthians is a club where everything comes to light. There are many people watching everything that happens at Corinthians and reporting on it, and I’m not talking only about the press. The fans themselves act as watchdogs over the club, they are attentive, they demand answers, they stay on top of things, and we noticed that clearly. I don’t think that is a problem, I think transparency is a good thing when you are trying to do serious work. But I am not influenced by politics, and I report only to president Osmar,” he assured.

Memphis staying involved different areas of Corinthians

Another topic addressed by Marcelo Paz was the continuity of Memphis Depay. The executive revealed that when he arrived at Corinthians in January, the financial situation meant the Dutchman’s stay was not considered certain.

Over the following months, however, the situation changed. According to Paz, keeping the number 10 was achieved with the participation of different sectors of the club, including the football department, coaching staff, presidency, and political side.

“I think it was a collective effort, the renewal. It went through me, it went through the coaching staff, it went through the presidency, it also went through the political side of the club, which had to make decisions on the financial issue and everything else, so it was general. When I arrived here, because of the financial situation, there was this expectation that maybe we would not be able to keep him. But we built relationships, we talked. He saw the work we were trying to do, he used the term ‘change of mindset’ a lot, which he noticed here in our actions,” he said.

The executive also mentioned Fernando Diniz as an important figure in the process. According to Paz, Memphis developed a connection with the coach mainly because of how both view football.

“He is a great player. I had to improve my English a lot to be able to speak with him, which is good for me too (laughs). Diniz’s arrival also helped. He created a very strong connection with Diniz, with the style of play, with how he sees the game, with the passion for the game, and that culminated in him staying, with the financial effort the club made and with the financial effort on his part as well,” he explained.

Memphis also shows concern for the club’s structure

The Dutchman’s relationship with Corinthians, according to Paz, is not limited to his performance on the pitch. The executive said the forward often shares opinions on different aspects of the club and shows interest in the structure offered to players and in the institution’s image.

As an example, the executive recalled Memphis’ reaction when he found changes in the recovery area at the training center after returning from the World Cup.

“He is someone with opinions, who cares about Corinthians far beyond the field, about the club’s image, about the structure. When he left for the World Cup, that recovery area we saw was still old. When he comes back, after everything that happened, he returns and says: ‘Wow’… He wants Corinthians to have a structure on the level of the great clubs he has already played for. He played for Barcelona, Atlético de Madrid,” he concluded.

While managing off-field issues, Corinthians are going through an important stretch of the season. This Sunday (13), Fernando Diniz’s team faces Flamengo at 5:30 p.m. at the Maracanã in the 27th round of the Brazilian Championship.

On Wednesday (16), Timão turns its attention back to the Libertadores. After a 1-1 draw in Argentina, the club hosts Estudiantes at 9:30 p.m. at Neo Química Arena for the second leg of the quarterfinals. A win sends Corinthians to the semifinals, while another draw will take the decision to penalties.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.