Good afternoon, everyone.
These past few weeks I’ve been thinking a lot about my time with the Málaga reserve team, and how that group of friends achieved everything when nobody expected anything from them.
We reached professional football and from then on, our careers accelerated. I’m very satisfied with how mine went, but nothing felt like that first prize any longer.
Professional football is always marked by expectations. And, although you’re inside a dressing room and know the reality of things, you never participate in the design of what can be achieved or what you want to achieve.
That's how I continued on... Sometimes it was me who thought that the club didn’t meet my expectations; and sometimes it was the club that thought they deserved a better right-back. Over time, that doesn't matter anymore. I can go back to all those places and say hello to all those professionals… Time has turned some things that seemed like mountains into anecdotes. And, I believe, the mutual recognition of people who worked honestly for the common good remains.
Well... This stage has also come to an end.
In recent days I’ve also been thinking a lot about what I had to say today. But, as I said before, it’s simple: I am the person in charge of the sports department and the results rule. It's that easy.
Responsibility has always weighed on me. But often, when I thought I had to step aside because of that responsibility, the club convinced me that the commitment was to stay and help. So that’s what I did. The club asked me to take charge of the transfer window, and now the club believes it’s time for us to go our separate ways.
Until today I’ve not stopped thinking for one minute about my work and my role as sporting director. But now the winter transfer window is over, it's time to say goodbye, so that Málaga can continue with different lines of work and can look forward to the future in another way. It’s time for those who succeed me to plan the upcoming transfer markets with sufficient time to do a good job and establish new sporting foundations.
Of course, I assume my share of the responsibility. I recognise my successes and above all my mistakes. Although I would like to make it clear that my decisions were always taken with the club’s best interests at heart at all times. From the first day to the last I have tried to be loyal, honest, sincere, committed and above all loyal to the Málaga Club de Fútbol cause. For me, loyalty is a bond that can never be broken in a relationship.
It's been a real roller coaster over the past three years. Three years in which I have seen many colleagues leave in an unfair but necessary way, and where I have also seen the club practically be born again and reinvent itself every year in a very complicated context with a judicial administration.
I'm leaving as I've always left Málaga, although this is the first time I've really said goodbye since I arrived at the club in the Infantil division. I do it without animosity, without reproaches and I’m grateful for an opportunity that possibly in another situation I wouldn’t have had.
Thanks to all the club staff. It’s impossible to name them all, but coming to work on the most difficult days has been easier thanks to you. There have been many hours, many days and many nights striving to reach our goals.
Thanks to the players and coaches. I still trust in you 100 per cent. I know you're going to do it.
Thanks to the press. Throughout these three years in this role, I’ve felt support and respect and have understood that most of the criticism is part of this game and my work.
Thanks to the fans. We know that now this isn’t a great time for us, but I want to thank all the Malaguistas from the bottom of my heart who have tirelessly supported us all this time through the good times and bad, which lately have been many. It’s been an honour and a privilege to be able to represent Málaga. I can assure you that I have tried to be the best sporting director possible, and I apologise if you ever understood that I was not up to the task. I also ask you to unite with the team and continue to support and cheer them on.
And finally, thanks to my family. I have a four-year-old son whom I have barely been able to see during this time in which I have dedicated myself fully and exclusively to Málaga. I have neglected you and now it’s time to be with you.
I want to wish the best of luck and a lot of strength to those who arrive at the club in the near future, and also to those who follow.
I would add that when I have the strength, I will return to La Rosaleda to continue cheering on the team with my scarf.
I wish you all the best, from the bottom of my heart. I love you.
Manolo Gaspar.
