Football in India is growing every year : Benito Montalvo - Exclusive Interview

FA Sports Malayalam unveils you the story of assistant coach who came to India. Research on him is futile, as there are few incomplete details but we filled them up for you readers. We are proud to announce Benito Montalvo as our guest in this exclusive interview.

Benito Montalvo (born on September 19, 1985), a former Argentinian professional footballer, who played as a Offensive Midfielder. He is currently the assistant coach of the Indian Super League club Hyderabad FC under Manuel Roca.

He started his career in Instituto AC Córdoba, Argentina on June 2005, then on February 2010, he joined 3 different clubs in Paraguay: Tacuary FC, Deportivo Capiata and at Cerro Porteño Presidente Franco, each with 1-year tenure. Then in January 2013, he joined FC Jurmala in Latvia for a year. He had small stints in Vietnam and Indonesia as well. Lastly on November 2015, he joined Vilassar de Mar, Barcelona where his club ultimately became champions in Spain’s 5th Division.

Now with his managerial career, on September 2015, he worked as an analyst in Fundación Marcet, a football developmental academy in Barcelona. There he was an analyst, coach and a sporting director till June 2020. He had trained Indian players like Deependra Singh Negi and others who are currently playing in I-League club Sudeva FC.

He had small stints as a coach in Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Ukraine, Perú, USA and India. In India, he was at KOOH Football Academy, Surat. On June 2020, he joined RCD Espanyol Academy, Helsinki as a head coach. He left at December 2020 after receiving a contract from Hyderabad FC.

Now the introduction's out of the way, lets move to the interview session.

Q. How did you became a footballer and what made you turn into a coach ?

Benito: "I became a footballer in Córdoba, Argentina, where in every corner of the country you breath football. I was 2 years old when I first had a ball at my feet. My father and I used to love watching Boca Juniors and he played really well. I had that passion and determination to train and to do all I can to improve and become a player, first in amateur level at a club near my neighborhood, Banco de Córdoba. After we became Champions, I got the chance to play for Instituto de Córdoba, a big club in my city.

My will to coach came from seeing Rene Arregui, German Panichelli, Gerardo Bernardi and many others coaches like Manolo Marquez who were motivating players, teaching how to understand and play football with a collective idea and understanding the importance of every member of the group. Thinking in long term, helping to grow clubs and football culture, without result being the major aim, all made appealed to me, and pushed me to become a coach."

Q. When you look back into your playing career which is your favourite moment ?

Benito: "In my career I had three really memorable moments.

When I played my 1st game in 1st division Argentina in July 3rd 2005, I got in the field and the first ball I touched I scored and we won with a goal and an assist.

Second moment on March 17th 2007 was when we won a derby in my city Instituto vs Talleres that we won 1-0 with the stadium full. My family and friends there could celebrate my goal.

Third moment on May 29th 2016 when we won the league in Barcelona, Spain the 1st Catalana league with Vilassar de Mar and were promoted to 3rd division."

Q. What was the main challenge you faced when you changed to coaching job?

Benito: "I believe that learning to analyze the game, team individuals and collective connections, opponents characteristics and main principles in the different moments of the game, space and time relationship, being able to work them with the players is all I believe are really important for a coach."

Q. What is your first impression on India?

Benito: "I like the country a lot. I know that there is great potential in all levels and also has a lot of variety. But the essence of the people is amazing, humble, grateful and well developed at least what I know from Hyderabad staff and Indians that I met in my life so far."

Q. How do rate the football here?

Benito: "Football in India is growing every year. There are great professionals that helps a lot with the development of the league and the youth. Still there is a lot to do specially from early ages where they need to improve in areas like the physical, nutrition, psychology aspects, and providing more information of the game habits to kids with professional coaching with wide knowledge of football. This will help grow creative, intelligent and independent players that will understand what to do in the different situations."

Q. What made you choose Hyderabad FC?

Benito: "First of all, getting the opportunity to work with Manolo Marquez and be part of a great staff, that motivated me that in India, football is growing. In Hyderabad also, there are rising young players that, with the right coaching, can be example for other generations and grow the mentality and culture of football in the country. Hyderabad has the idea to grow from the youth and develop players which I think is the best way to grow a club in football."

Q. In which ways do you think Indian players should improve?

Benito: "Indian players have good speed and individual technique, are improving tactically, and in game habits and in mentality but of course there are areas where need to continue developing and coaches need to dedicate time and motivate them to grow. The best part is that young Indians are humble enough to listen, want to improve and are very nice to train with. More importantly, they have discipline and enjoy football."

Q. Who are your top Indian players (including other clubs)?

Benito: "There are really good Indian players in every team. Like a lot the players in Hyderabad FC, Suresh in Bengaluru, Anirudh Thapa in Chennaiyin, Apuia in Northeast are players that are very complete with a good mentality during the games."

Q. What is your style of game play? Is it attacking or defensive?

Benito: "Our style is guided by the characteristics of the players we have. According to the club philosophy, we adapt and try to get the best performance individually and to help the team to play together in the different moments in the game. We give importance to all the situations of the game."

Q. What do you think about Liston?

Benito: "Liston is a very good player with potential, has interesting natural characteristics that are very important for football nowadays, is very creative and dynamic player but he need to continue learning to dominate more situations of the game."

Q. Your opinion on Indian Refereeing standard?

Benito: "The league this year is difficult not only for the players and staff but for referees also because they are in the bubble and constantly are receiving criticism and most of time without a constructive view. They make mistakes during the games but is important that they learn and increase the quality to read the situations."

Q. How popular is ISL and Indian football in the other countries you have been ?

Benito: "Most of countries where I have been people focus in the five more important leagues in Europe but bringing big players and experienced coaches to the league, will get the attention from other countries.

The main focus should be to continue improving, develop from the base, focus in making football more professional in all areas specially in grassroots and give time to the new generations. Don’t look for immediate results and build while we are learning."

Q. Your message to the fans

Benito: "Our message is only gratitude for the support. We are trying our best, putting ourselves at the service of the club and players to grow together."

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