It’s been more than 20 years since Paulo Wanchope graced Pride Park Stadium in the black and white of Derby County.
Now the former fan favourite, for a short period of time, is back where his English football career began.
He may only be back in country for two weeks from his native Costa Rica, but the 43-year-old remembers Derby just as fondly as he did when he was out on the pitch scoring the goals for the Rams.
“I have great memories of my time at Pride Park,” Wanchope told RamsTV in his return to Pride Park Stadium.
“I remember a great atmosphere here when we played at home and it is nice to be back. It was over 20 years ago but it feels like only five years have passed.
“It is nice to see old friends and nice to see the club going forward in the right way. I have been to the training ground and the facilities are great.”
The former Costa Rican international will forever be remembered at Derby County for his goal – voted the greatest in the club’s history back in 2009 – against Manchester United at Old Trafford in a spectacular debut in English football which helped earn a vital three points for the Rams in a famous 3-2 victory.
That goal came in April 1997 after he arrived from Herediano alongside fellow countryman Mauricio Solis.
An instant fan favourite, the striker stayed at Pride Park under Jim Smith for two full seasons, scoring 28 goals, as Derby finished ninth and then eighth in the Premier League.
“That was the right start, it was great for me and the club for us to go over there and win that game,” Wanchope recalled.
“For me to score and assist a goal is something that will always be in my heart and the fans always remember that goal. The goal here against them was even better, but I do understand the meaning of the goal at Old Trafford.”
He added: “We had great players – Igor Stimac, Stefano Eranio, Francesco Baiano – just very good players around. It is nice to remember them and see some of those coaching now, like Lee Carsley, I remember him very well. He was a good player, very energetic.
“I did enjoy my time and I improved my game over here and it was great to enjoy the English football.”
Like some of his former team-mates, Wanchope has transitioned from player to manager.
He already has had experience managing his boyhood club Herediano as well as the national side of Costa Rica, the country he made 73 appearances for as a player.
That is what has brought him back over to England, where he also played for West Ham United and Manchester City, and he is spending a fortnight developing his craft by watching in on training sessions at the Academy.
And, of course, there has been time to get back to Pride Park to watch the Rams’ 2-0 victory over Luton Town last Saturday and the Under-23s’ Premier League Cup clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers earlier this week.
He explained: “It is part of my coaching education. I have been doing all my badges over here. I am still yet to do my Pro License.
“It is good to be back here and see some training sessions, see some of the experienced coaches work which will help me develop. I will go up to Manchester as well and it is a learning experience. I am very into coaching, so I just want to prepare well.
“My home is still Costa Rica, but to be honest I would like to come back to England. My daughter was born in Manchester and I do have dual nationality, so we are looking forward coming back. We will see what happens.”
