2024-07-22 03:22:11
INTERVIEW.-
Esteban Paz, after 26 years in charge of Liga de Quito, has taken on a new challenge with the Leones del Norte, leaving behind a glorious era that gave the ‘U’ 16 of its 20 historic titles.
2024 marked a radical change in the leadership of Liga de Quito. The Football Commission led by Paz and his father, Rodrigo Paz, handed over control to the social club, now chaired by Isaac Álvarez. This change came after a year in which the club achieved a historic double with the Liga Pro and the Copa Sudamericana. However, the differences between Paz and Álvarez became insurmountable over the course of 2023, leading to the non-renewal of the contract with the Football Commission. Paz shared his thoughts on his time at Liga and his relationship with Álvarez. “I grew up with Liga, I had the opportunity to work for Liga and lift trophies, but also suffer when things didn’t go well for us. Everything was in an environment of great passion and love for the team, the fans and what we moved around the team,” Paz commented. He also expressed his dissatisfaction with the way Álvarez took command of the club, questioning his commitment and transparency. “If he was interested in managing the team, why didn’t he sit down with us to learn? But when we won everything, he was the first to say, ‘we won this because of me. ’ He didn’t do anything for that cup, I say that sincerely. He didn’t hire me, he didn’t manage things for me, we did it with my team,” added Paz, making clear his frustration with the current management. Away from football for a few months, Esteban Paz has returned with a new project, accepting the proposal of Leones del Norte, signing a 10-year contract with an option to extend. “Now I have to go on consolidating the same for Leones del Norte, I have to do it with all my responsibility and passion.