Funes: “I’m very excited; I know what this club represents and the responsibility that comes with it”

Before the press conference with the media, Loren spoke about Funes: “I’ve always thought that he should, in the future, be the coach of Málaga’s first team. I felt that the best moment for him to come in would have been at the start of the season, but football timings are what they are, and it’s happened now. I have no doubt whatsoever, and he has the full confidence of the Club and the Sporting Management. He knows perfectly well what the team is and what it can become. Good luck, and be yourself.”

Funes also wanted “to thank the club for the confidence” it has placed in him. “I’m very excited; I know perfectly well what this club is and what it represents, and the responsibility that comes with it. The circumstances are right to take on the challenge, and I’m happy to be able to take this step after many years at the club. It was a unique opportunity for me. In me, they will find someone who will work with tremendous enthusiasm. I feel very connected to the project, which is clear, well defined, and one in which I feel I play an active part,” he said.

Press conference

New coach

Loren

“Funes was the club’s choice. And he was a choice for the future. I would have liked it to be under different circumstances, also because of Sergio (Pellicer), but he was just as important as the other options we were considering.”

Funes

“I haven’t slept much because of the excitement this represents for me. It’s a very thrilling situation, I feel prepared, and our hours of sleep will certainly be invested.”

Confidence and knowledge of the squad

Funes

“I’ve been at the club for more than half a decade, and I know what it means to be here. All of my coaching staff have already been part of my previous staffs, I know the squad well, and I know what they’re capable of. It’s a squad of great value.”

“I’m taking over from Sergio, as I already did with the reserve team, and we have the trust and ability within the entire coaching staff to help us put in the work so the players can show their best version. I have a clear idea of what we want to do. Win the ball back quickly and, through having the ball, dominate our opponents. The squad is built for that, and we have the ability to do it.”

Project and club

Funes

“Loren has always shown great confidence in me. From there, I’ve been here for more than half a decade. I’m in the team of the best city in the world. I’m still at Málaga because I’m a club man, and my sense of belonging is strong.”

Loren

“The most important thing is the project. We have to highlight the assets the club has generated over these past years. We need to convey confidence. When you detect talent, you have to make the most of it. We are in a much better place than two and a half seasons ago, and the project is growing.”

Objectives and future

Funes

“It’s important that we stay firm in our short term objectives. I have no doubt that the squad is capable, I know them very well. That gives me tremendous confidence. They have the ability, and we want to bring them to their best version. When we give, we will receive.”

Loren

“When I arrived, we decided to give continuity to Sergio. Projects continue above individuals. I came with the intention of staying for many years, and that’s what I’m going to fight for, to make sure this goes well.”

“The objective is to win and win, every match, and to keep making the project grow. And to continue developing players and assets for the first team.”