Assessment of the winter transfer window
“We are clear about the project’s continuity. I don’t know whether not making signings in last year’s winter window had any impact. Each season is different, and this decision has been agreed upon and carefully considered. The team has sufficient resources to compete with confidence through to the end of the season. We are well balanced across positions and we performed well in the first half of the campaign. With Funes, we have shown that the squad has the ability to compete and win. It is a very well-balanced squad, and LaLiga sets certain economic parameters. We were assessing what suited us best and we were over the salary cap, but that was not decisive, as our evaluations were already going in that direction. We are confident that we have made the right decision and the project must follow its intended path. Financial balance is just as important as sporting balance. If there is one area the Club must be especially careful with, it is the financial side, we cannot afford to make mistakes there while striving to reach as high as we possibly can, and that is also taken into account.”
Moussa and Haitam
“The decision is based on the project. We are not only looking at the immediate term, but also the medium and long term. Neither of the two players had raised any issues and they have listened to the Club. Moussa hasn’t had continuity due to physical problems, but we have confidence in these players as part of the future. After last year’s experience, the best thing for both the players’ future and Málaga’s is for him to stay here, train with the first team and play with the reserve side so that he is at one hundred percent in July. Haitam had been out of competition for quite a while, but he can contribute between now and the end of the season. He still needs a bit of time to get back to full capacity, but he will bring us things. Both have accepted this willingly and have not raised anything that goes against this approach.”
Squad spots covered
“If we had thought that something absolutely essential was needed, we would have looked for a solution, but the issue of registrations has not had any impact. Moussa moves down to the reserve team and his registration spot is freed up. That wasn’t the driving factor, everything we’ve done has been done without any obligation or premeditation.”
Consolidating the project
“This Club is entering a different phase from the previous two years. A team has been built around homegrown players. The first signings will be keeping these boys, convincing them that this is an ambitious club where they can stay for many years. Larrubia’s renewal in September was important news, as were those of Puga and Pastor. The Club continues to work on these key renewals. Consolidating all of this could be decisive for Málaga’s future.”
Recoveries of Víctor and Dani Sánchez
“We’re expecting to get injured players back in the coming weeks. At left-back, with both players injured, we did consider doing something, but their progress and Rafita’s performances led us to decide against it. At that time we didn’t have a salary cap issue, although that wasn’t decisive anyway. It was more about being convinced that with what we have, we’re capable of competing. The aim is to consolidate all these young players and take this project as far as possible with this model. The Club has areas where money can be invested, in these players and in the Academy to keep producing footballers. We’re clear about that medium- to long-term vision, and we have to decide where to invest the money and where it’s truly essential.”
Future in the sporting director role
“I work to ensure Málaga does as well as possible. Whether I continue or not doesn’t depend solely on me. I came to this project with great enthusiasm, a project I believe in. Málaga is a place where you can work the way we are working. We’ve had a mix of good fortune, good decisions and mistakes that have led Málaga to where it is right now. What lies ahead is an even tougher task than what we’ve experienced so far, because now we have to consolidate. My personal situation is not something that takes up my time, I’m focused on taking this project as far as possible until my very last day.”
Change on the bench
“Maybe we would have won six, four or five matches in a row with Pellicer. I’d like to point out that with Sergio we were one of the teams that spent more time winning than losing, and we dropped as many as eight points in stoppage time. The team wasn’t far from winning, I’m not a fortune teller and I don’t know what would have happened. The decision was carefully considered and shared with the coach. What’s happening now is good for Málaga, with Funes and the players, who are the same. We have to value a squad that is showing continuity in its wins. The young players need to get used to competing and to winning. Thinking about what we might have done in a different situation, I don’t know. At this moment, after analysing the months we’ve been competing, including the early period when we were already competitive, Funes’ arrival has reaffirmed the value of the squad.”
Funes
“The Club has to see him as a coach for the future. We need to convince Funes that he is part of this project, just like the players. Coaches are fundamental, sometimes money has been paid for that. We are protecting the players, and of course, the coach is a key piece for the Club’s future.”
Believing in the project
“I came with all the enthusiasm in the world, at a very complicated time when the Club had to make some very difficult decisions. I’m working to stay at Málaga for as long as I can and to ensure this project continues to grow.”
Control of the international market
“We are expanding our scouting areas. There are still some aspects we can improve, but we now have more thorough international monitoring. Looking ahead to the winter transfer window, we are starting to take control of international football. With Dani, the analyst, we are watching players from foreign leagues.”
Players in the final year of their contracts
“Recio is tied to Málaga. For the others, we need to make decisions about whether they will continue or not. We are happy with them, but we will have to assess their performance and whether the market can offer something better than what they are providing. The first to know will be the players themselves. A team is the sum of all its players. The squad sometimes has 27 players, including those from the reserves, and 11 play plus five substitutions. We are satisfied with the cohesion in the dressing room and with how they train. The biggest success has been forming teams that truly function as a team, watching them train is wonderful. We have to start making decisions about those whose contracts are ending, and the first to know will be the players themselves.”
Contract extensions
“We are talking with several players and trying to convince them that this is an ambitious project, that is the first thing we need to do. This Club wants to grow, and they will be an important part of that, they need to be involved. Each player has their own process, and discussions are ongoing with them.”
Promotion to retain the squad
“Of course it’s important. If the players develop much faster than the Club, it’s hard to keep them when they have opportunities to move up a division and improve financially. We want to reach the First Division with them, and we have to convince them. Having them is essential for the Club to be in the First Division, and it needs to happen soon so they can be part of it. Comparing it with my previous work is difficult, there was a more solid foundation than what we had here two years ago. We have to convince them that with their commitment, we can make it. If they commit, it will be faster and easier. Reaching the First Division is good, but it’s also important how you get there, moving up in a consolidated way to avoid setbacks. The sooner, the better, but the process matters too, promotion and staying up.”
Maximum commitment
“I’ve said that I like this project and I want to see it through to the end. We all know that Málaga can reach the First Division by consolidating this project. If I’m told I need to speak with the coach, I will. But without knowing whether I will continue, that decision has to come from the Club. In this situation, one thing is the players, and another is the coach.”
Squad level
“The difference in the Second Division is very small: there are strange results, top teams losing to those at the bottom. I’m convinced that this team is ready to play in the playoffs. We will have to maintain our performance and not think that we’ve found a magic formula. Capacity? I’m confident in this team. Working day by day, with humility, we can achieve that. Nobody wanted a defeat, but it would be unrealistic to think we wouldn’t lose any match. Defeat came, and we’re not immortal, what has brought us here is giving our all every single day.”
Relationship with José María Muñoz
“We still have the same relationship, of course. We know each other better now and meet with complete normality. It’s like a couple, I’ve been married to my wife for 31 years and we’ve been together for over 40. We accept each other as we are and have built a project together. We can’t think we’re perfect, we have differences of opinion to help improve the Club. Our relationship is normal and has nothing to do with what might happen.”
Progress over two years
“I’m satisfied with where Málaga is at this moment, knowing how tough the start was. The Club had to make drastic personnel decisions due to the consequences of relegation. We have to be pleased with how Málaga is performing, competing, and staying true to the model that is allowing us to grow in a very stable way. Promotion to the First Division is a solution and important because everything changes, but the demands in the First Division multiply by ten. We have to build a strong Málaga so that we arrive firmly prepared.”
Room for growth
“There’s still a need to expand in every area and improve in all aspects: organisation, resources, and the training facilities. The Academy is what has allowed us to have 14 homegrown players in the first team. Málaga has many areas where money can be invested. Making other investments ensures that the first team functions effectively.”
Refereeing decisions in Miranda
“He is a referee who, apparently, historically hasn’t had much luck with Málaga. Refereeing decisions are made in the moment, the penalty that was given was at least doubtful, only he saw it that way. We have to stay out of it. Sometimes the decisions benefit you, sometimes they harm you. We weren’t able to draw or win the match solely because of the referee.”
