Santiago - Leaving the Eagle was just the beginning of the turmoil within Copa. After the person was removed from his post, Gilberto Adamu said goodbye as well after five years at the agency.
The former player, in the words of Fox Sports, talked about how he left and how he hopes he can take over the team after halftime.
"After Santiago was fired yesterday, I contacted Diego Ramirez (Director of Athletic Development). He told me the situation, the instructions and that he would not be part of the technical team. He told me that it was a directive from the top and that he was proceeding as is. It was a more personal issue (his departure) I had a delusion that I could give myself (to receive technical instructions) and I thought I hadn't done enough in those five years."
"I quit my job and it was time to refresh the face on the dresser, which I thought was the healthiest thing to do. I don't know if this is the trigger, I know it's time to step up. If there's a temp, I'll stand aside and get the job done; my message is to lead."
Regarding the selection of Fernando Ortiz as interim technical director, Adamu said he didn't know why they chose the former defender, who has been at the club for a couple of months, but he wished him all the best.
"It's a situation that I can't judge because I don't know what reason they had to make that decision. He knows what Americas is all about, he's got the jersey on and he's definitely going to be fine and I'm giving him a good feeling about it."
On the other hand, he said he had never seen a dressing room break down, even though Solari's dealings with players were not as close.
"I didn't see any networks, no programs, but the dressing room was never broken, there were no groups, and I tell them sincerely that I was glued to the players, the halves were very close and nothing strange ever happened. There was always a good relationship (between Solari and the players) we tried to improve it, there were those emotional connections."
Finally, he mentioned that in order for America to rise to the top by the end of 2022, it has to strengthen mental issues, not physical ones; "They have to be strengthened mentally, they are high level players and I would focus on the mental issues," he concluded.
