Manolo Gaspar: “What we have done is responsible management”
Málaga CF’s sporting director held a press conference to analyse the winter transfer window. “There’s an agreed renewal, which we hope to announce in the coming days, and we’ve already got a signing finalised for next season,” he stated.
Manolo Gaspar, the Club’s sporting director held a press conference in the ‘Juan Cortés’ press room at La Rosaleda, to talk about the transfer window that came to a close on 31st January.
He kicked off with a summary of the transfer window: “It was a difficult market as we started with a totally unexpected FIFA sanction, just as we were in the middle of negotiations with players and clubs. It was a major setback that we were able to resolve thanks to the lawyers,” were his first words. He added that “the same day we had Vadillo, an opportunity that arose in the market, and two days later Febas, both available for the upcoming match against Sporting on 9th January.”
He went on to explain that “we had a change of coaching team and everything that entails.” Manolo Gaspar recognised that this decision didn’t “disrupt the plans” because “our needs were clear,” although “it’s not easy in the middle of the transfer window to take such important and definitive measures.”
For the sporting director, “the squad is the best there is, we couldn’t have done better within the current conditions.” He wanted to stress this phrase: “What we have done is responsible management. A year ago, we were dead, and we are still in a serious condition, but now with some stability. Our objective is to continue growing and move forward with our feet on the ground”, he added.
Regarding the possible arrival of new players, he commented: “For us the market is always open, we have room to manoeuvre salary wise and space on the team. If we think there can be an improvement, we’ll do it and will continue working in that direction. Adrián López is recovering in Madrid from some injury discomfort he had, then he’ll train with us, and if he’s at a good level he will sign up”.
Another name that came up was Antoñín, of whom he said: “He made a great effort to come to Málaga, he’s a Malaguista, and Málaga made a great effort for him to come here. However, he’s a young player and can make mistakes. We talked and his decision is to continue at Málaga, that’s what he wants and when he regains his level, he’ll be an important member of the team.”
The sporting director sets out the objectives established at the start of the season, taking into account the current squad. “We want to improve on what we did last season, as we’re in a position to do so. Right now, we need to recover our players in order to continue to grow. They’ve got so much to give, and we’re convinced we’ll reach our goals,” he explained.
Manolo Gaspar also conveys a message that the hard work is ongoing for the future: “There’s an agreed renewal, which we hope to announce in the coming days, and we’ve already got a signing finalised for next season.”
In relation to the remaining salary margin, he clarified that “the figure that hasn’t been spent doesn’t reach one million; we could have signed two players, but first comes the responsibility.”
Lastly, he had a few words for the Malaguista fans: “Hopefully next year we'll fight for the playoffs, although it's going to be difficult to have a salary ability for that. We have to build the future. I understand the fans better than anyone, they are, rightly, very demanding and they are the Club's greatest asset, so I ask everyone to unite. The fans would have liked five new players. I understand that they get frustrated and angry. I'm a Málaga fan and I know how they feel”.
