Firstly, Bernd Schuster is confident the Blue and Whites can win their last League match of the season in front of their fans: “There is still a match to go before we can start evaluating the season as a whole, but I think the most important factor is that we’ve achieved our objectives. We’ll be able to enjoy tomorrow’s game without any pressure, and really want to end the year with a win. Neither Málaga nor Levante have anything in play tomorrow, and the team that plays the best on the day will win. We have a responsibility to win in front of our fans, and will go all out to claim the three points. It’s a shame we’ve only got 16 players who are match-fit for tomorrow, due to a high number of injuries.”
The ‘Malaguista’ coach talks about his personal situation: “I was told yesterday that I wouldn’t be continuing in my role next season, but it wasn’t a great surprise as I had a feeling it would happen. It’s a decision that I must accept. I’m leaving happy though as we all worked hard to move the team forward. I’ll now look for another place to work. I must respect the decision that has been made, and I didn’t sign a five-year contract, that wasn’t true at all. The clause in the contract could terminate the five-year agreement. We were not told the reasons or motives behind the decision, but that’s ok. I would have renewed my contract here had I been given the chance, we did try, but the Club has an important responsibility which is something I need to accept. I don’t agree with the decision however, as I think I’m capable of doing the job, despite the difficulties, and although I realise that there are several reasons for me not to continue on, it’s just not meant to be. I don’t know how the Club directors will evaluate my season here. People who have been working with me weren’t here today.”
Schuster discusses his time at the Martiricos outfit: “I’ll take a lot away from my time with Málaga CF. It’s been a great coaching experience for me, and although I didn’t know anything about Málaga’s mentality before, I’m taking with me a lot of good things. I was allowed to get on with the job, and never had any problems on behalf of the Club. I had a bad time with the fans, but we had to unite towards the end and reach the final part of the season in the best way possible. I’m not the only coach who has had this problem. I’m sure I’ve said this before, but I was on my own a lot of the time, and we didn’t see other people from the Club around us. There are times over the season when the coach needs support and backing from others from time to time, which I’ve also said to my players.”
