Good morning,
The reason for this press appearance today is to announce I am leaving my post as Málaga CF coach, and that my coaching team and I have accepted an offer from Rubin Kazan for the next four seasons.
It was a very difficult decision to make. I appreciate everything the Club has done for me, but my new club, Rubin, made a massive effort and showed great interest in counting on me for a future project, and presented an irresistible offer.
I don’t want to take any more time away from what, for me at this time, is the most important: to say thank you. Anything I say cannot express the gratitude I feel, but I’ll do my best.
I would like to thank the Sheikh and his family for their permanent unconditional support. Thank you for always being close, despite distance separating us at times, and thank you for leaving the door open at this great Club for me in the future.
Thank you to all the Club directors. People including Paco Martín Aguilar, Ben Barek and Antonio Benítez, who I have a special affection for. I thank them for their kindness, generosity and love, but above everything and everyone, this Club. Without doubt, they are the Club’s best representation and best assets.
I thank those who brought me to this Club (Mario and Vicente); thank you to Arnau for his support, trust and hard work during the time we spent together. The future of the Club, without doubt, is in good hands.
Thanks to all the workers behind the scenes at the Club, working in the offices, taking care of the pitches, at the Olympic stadium and La Rosaleda. They made our work easier for us, and made us feel like part of the Malaguista family from the very first day.
Thank you to my second family, the coaching team: Gato, Ibán, Juan, Luis, Iñigo, Enrique and Hugo; the medical team: Juan Carlos, Paco, Luis, Fernando, Torron and Iván; and delegate, Carlos. Thank you to the incomparable Miguel and Juan Carlos, and the team. To all the players who over the past two years have given their all to ensure the fans enjoyed the games. They are all great professionals and great people.
The last two years have been challenging, and I feel I gave everything I’ve got to achieve the best results. I tried to look after the great Malaguista youth ranks, and the Club’s current situation is considerably better than when I arrived. With this feeling I’m leaving. Knowing that I have collaborated during my time here towards the stability of the Club and the revaluation of the squad.
Finally, I thank the fans. Thank you for making me feel part of everything. Thank you for valuing my work with love and respect. Thank you for your wonderful support. I feel proud to have been the coach of this team and form part of this wonderful fan base.
On behalf of my family, thanks to Málaga CF, Málaga and the entire province for making us so happy. I don’t know what my future career path will hold, but from a personal aspect, I’ll definitely be returning to Málaga. I’ll miss you all.
Thank you all for the time we’ve shared. I think we have respected, understood and helped. Thank you. My best wishes to you all.
