Mexican veteran Javier Aguirre is perfectly content managing Real Mallorca, in the rather agreeable surroundings of Palma. Yet he does regret never trying out the Premier League, in a career that has taken him to 41 cities and 14 countries.
Speaking tor Marca, Aguirre revealed that he did turn down the chance to go to England once, but rejected the offer due to the timing.
“I don’t think I can anymore, but I still have the desire. I would have liked it, because I have been fortunate to be in many competitions. They called me once during the winter market, but I didn’t want to leave the team stranded at that time and in the end I didn’t go. The train passes once and I let it pass, but I don’t regret it.”
The team in question was in the Midlands.
“West Bromwich Albion. In the end Pepe Mel took it. It was for Boxing Day, suddenly and quickly. I consulted with my wife and my assistant and they both recommended that it was best for us to stay. That little thing about the Premier League has stuck with me, but I have to confess that I am happy in Spain because it’s now almost 500 games in 15 seasons, the people treat me wonderfully, I have a lot of work to do and let’s hope it turns out well.”
Mel took over the West Brom job in 2014, while Aguirre was in charge of Espanyol in the not too shabby setting of Barcelona. Subsequently West Brom would stay up, but Mel was not long for the job, and would not make it a full year at the Hawthorns.
