Franco Navarro did not hide his emotion, but he did not forget to express his gratitude either. The sports director of Lima Alliance decided to declare after the conquest of League 1 Opening Tournament and he opened his first response with a confession: “Thank God for giving me the strength and wisdom to endure and get through the complicated and difficult moments that we had to live through.” From December until just a couple of months ago, the blue and white project was under pressure that was rarely seen in Matute.
Navarro Monteiro was clear about the merit of the title: “The person directly responsible is Pablo Guede with his coaching staff. With that wisdom, with that experience, with his ability to manage this group and involve it in the objective that we had in common as an institution, it is truly spectacular.” During the season, the Argentine coach resisted public requests for his departure, questions in the stands and criticism in the media. His sports director never doubted him.
The season didn’t start well. The initial results generated an adverse environment that included chants against Navarro Monteiro himself and the technician Guede in the stands of Matute. The sports director recognized the hardness of those moments, but explained how he processed them: “I could say a million things, but I only assimilate them and make the best of each experience, good and the many negative ones we have had. There was a lot of aggression, a lot of offense. But that does not distract me from the main objective, which is to make this team champion, because it is the best in this country.”
The key, according to Franco Navarrowas in the clarity of the project from the beginning: “We were clear about what we wanted for the team. We were clear about the decisions we had made since we set out to plan for 2026. I think we made the appropriate additions, we renewed whoever was appropriate and a group was put together with a degree of self-love, faith, professionalism and integrity that makes us feel proud.”
Beyond the coaching staff, Navarro Monteiro He highlighted the character of the team as a determining factor in the title. “I want to highlight the strength, professionalism and degree of commitment of this group of boys, who today close an unforgettable moment for the entire Alliance family,” he stated. The sports director stressed that The unity of the group in adverse moments was what sustained the project when criticism intensified from outside.
“I feel happy and proud to be in charge of the sports area and work with all the love and all the capacity that one has, with all the limitations as well. But the only thing we want is for Lima Alliance Always achieve your goals and objectives,” said Navarro, who warned that the Apertura is only the first step: “We will prepare accordingly to face the Clausura and we hope that at the end of the year we will be enjoying and hugging each other with happiness again”.
One of the topics that had circulated the most in recent weeks was the future of Guillermo Viscarrawhose supposed departure from the club generated speculation in the media. Franco cleared it up bluntly: “Vizcarra has a contract until the end of the year. No offer has come for him. He is a super professional and we are happy with him.”
Regarding the possibility of incorporating reinforcements for the Clausura, the sports director preferred not to get ahead of himself. At the journalist’s insistence, he responded with a single word and a smile: “Enjoy.” The response sparked laughter in the environment and closed a night in which Lima Alliance He put on the champion’s suit again.
