The search, I think, was “Spanish woman, manager, football…”
And that is how Google plays a part in my story.
It was back in 2006. Chile had submitted their entry to host the 2008 Under-20 Women’s World Cup. When FIFA chose them as hosts, they were granted automatic qualification.
They had done all the organisational stuff, but then they realised they needed to sort out the football side of things. They didn’t even have a manager.
The federation wanted a woman for the job, preferably, and a Spanish speaker too.
I had completed my coaching studies the year before, and I had finished top of the class. It got talked about a lot in the Spanish press. You know, the typical comparison. The feminist struggle.
“Woman knows more about football than men.”
Back in Chile, they found the news on the internet. “Let’s get her.”
They called me. It was 3am, 4am in Spain.
“We’re from Chile, we’re looking for a manager. Are you interested?”
“Well, I could be,” I said. I was half-asleep and didn’t think any more of it.