Fernando Hierro: “It’s an extraordinary motivation fighting to take this Club all the way”
Málaga Club de Fútbol’s General Manager, Fernando Ruiz Hierro, held a press conference at La Rosaleda this lunchtime. The Vélez-born executive gave an up-to-date review of the Club to the assembled journalists for around 40 minutes.
Hierro’s statements
At ease and unity
“I continue to think the same as I did a month ago. The situation could improve, but we know that, and we understand, that this League is a little crazy and, not counting Madrid, Barcelona or Valencia, the rest of the teams are all very even. From here until the end it’s going to be a very close competition with very little difference in the points. Currently we’re just three points away from being in European positions. Here we achieve things together. We all have to improve, it’s a great project and we’ll see if we can bring it to fruition. We have a clear road map and Málaga are at ease and the project is exciting and thrilling. We’re all working for the same thing and we’re all moving in the same direction. The coach is prudent, he works from the outside in. Don’t expect any explosive declarations; his way is based on respect and tranquillity and we have to understand that that’s how our manager is.”
Internal demands
“It’s a project that has begun to compete; they demand from us 100 percent, ten out of ten, and with the external demands we have to be prepared as no-one is giving anything away for free. We all need to try and be the best. We all have to be better, except for the 600 who came to Granada and the 30,000 who come here. We understand that people are excited and they should rest assured that there’s maximum commitment and that between us we can bring this to fruition. We have to be exemplary, we’re very self critical, and here no-one is leaving anything to chance. The players are committed and it’s an extraordinary motivation fighting to take this Club all the way. We all have to give more.”
Owners and José Carlos Pérez
“The owners are aware of Jose Carlos’ (Pérez) progress; he’s an important man in the project. This week I’ve spoken with the Sheikh six or seven times and we’ve had to reorganise every department of the Club. We all hope that José Carlos will return very soon, he’s a wonderful man. But there’s also a fantastic team of professionals here and we have to accept this responsibility. We’re going to miss him and we’re going to be with him every step of the way…No-one’s ever prepared for a situation like this, but I believe that we reacted quickly. Everything has been done with total respect. I think that we have done our upmost and been responsible and, after having spoken to the owners, they have told me that they will come soon.”
The team’s stamp
“The team plays in the same way whether they’re home or away. Málaga are instantly recognisable due to the manager that they have; I don’t agree with the theme of the team’s image. Málaga goes out with personality and then gets results. The reinforcement was Kameni and we think the team’s prepared and the squad is up for competing. It’s our team, they’re our players, he’s our manager, and it’s not possible to bring in four or five new players in every period. The decision that we have taken is not to touch the team until May.”
Solvency
“We have to fight against the pressures. We’re very relaxed about the economic situation. It’s satisfactory, it’s comfortable, and the message is that the Club’s extremely solvent. The Club has to carry on improving and find a necessary balance. We want to be treated like everyone else and that’s the challenge: to get better every day. I don’t meet with the players every day but they know that they have a ‘hands-on’ club and that there’s no crisis situation. Gijón and Granada were matches in which we should have added points, but we’re still close to the top positions. Everything can be improved and we must all improve.”
Málaga-Mallorca
“I’m one for positive thinking. On Sunday the team is going to go out well, play well, and the fans are going to enjoy it. I’m an optimist and I think the people will be behind their team. If there’s anything that is exemplary it is our fans – for them, ten out of ten. We have an important game and La Rosaleda is going to be a fortress. Our fans are going to be with us from the outset.”
