“My wife is delighted, which is the main thing, because if not…”

Former Actual Madrid, Getafe or Rayo Vallecano participant, Adrián González has been dwelling a brand new stage in his profession for nearly three years, however not as a participant, however as a coach in Saudi Arabia.

“We dwell nice. It’s true that initially you go along with a sure expectation, however it surprises you for the higher. It’s significantly better than one imagines,” confesses the Madrid native on the Los Fulanos podcast.

Míchel González’s son explains that life in his new vacation spot has overcome any preliminary prejudice. His household, settled with him for a very long time, has tailored with out issues. “My spouse is delighted, which is the primary factor, as a result of if not… issues,” he says with fun.

The intense local weather determines the day-to-day lifetime of the workforce coached by his father and of which he’s a member of the technical workers, Al-Qadsiah: “We practice there within the afternoon, due to the warmth, and within the morning the teaching workers works.”

It is rather totally different from Europe, in actual fact, right here air-con is crucial; even to sleep”. Adrián González lives in one of many well-known ‘compounds’, gated communities with all providers.

“You’ve gotten gyms, daycares, eating places, laundries… you need not exit in case you do not wish to. The youngsters are enjoying all day, they go from home to deal with; for them it is nice,” he explains.

He additionally highlights the native safety and hospitality: “It’s a very protected nation. The Saudis are hospitable, they wish to please you, they make the whole lot very straightforward for you.”

On a sporting degree, Adrián highlights the rising professionalization of soccer in Saudi Arabia. “Nice work is being completed. There are increasingly overseas professionals who assist the event of the golf equipment. In 5 years the league shall be very highly effective if it continues at this tempo,” he says.

He acknowledges, nonetheless, that “there are golf equipment which are nonetheless adapting” to the brand new dynamics.

The variations with Europe are nonetheless notable, however more and more smaller. “The groups which are among the many high 5 or 6 there may compete in the midst of the desk in Spain,” he explains.

“They have players who continue to go with their national teams from Brazil or Portugal, and you don’t see that in many low-mid-table European teams,” explains the Madrid native.

Adrián González also details the economic model of the league: “There are four teams that belong to the Saudi Sovereign Fund, the PIF, with a much larger budget. But the idea is that they will pass into private hands to professionalize management. More and more Saudi companies see business and opportunity in the clubs.”

According to him, the league is even beginning to sell talent to Europe: “European teams call us asking about our players. That means something is being done well.”

In the economic aspect, he does not hide that the conditions are advantageous: “A player can earn three or four times more than in Spain, and there are also no income taxes. Only 5% VAT is applied to daily consumption.”

With the serenity of someone who has found balance, Adrián González sums up his Saudi experience with a smile: “In the end, what you thought was going to be an uncertain adventure turns into a quiet life and a league that is growing at an incredible speed.”