Javier Calleja, 42, appeared in the Mendizorroza press room after the first training session with the group. “It is a great but exciting challenge, I think we are going to take it out. As soon as they contacted us the “Yes“It was clear, both for me and for the coaching staff. I am very convinced that This is a First Division team, there is a great squad but in negative dynamics. We come to seek solutions and, in the next few days, to achieve permanence. We are with the desire and enthusiasm to get to work and get this done “, he assured.
He was asked how he saw the team and said that “we have followed the league throughout the season and it is clear that the first thing to do is to change the mentality and that the players regain confidence. It is up to us to look for alternatives and variants in the game to improve as much as we can. I have absolutely all the footballers because now there is a new stage and it cannot be taken away from anyone. I don't know what has happened so far but we started from scratch”.
Regarding his way of seeing football, he commented that “here there is an implanted style of play and we come to contribute, to help the mechanisms and behaviors in the game continue to grow. On a personal level It is the first time that I leave, and we left, Villarreal but, as a coaching staff, we see it as an opportunity to continue growing and try to demonstrate the potential we have. “Javi Calleja arrives with José Romero as physical trainer, Luismi Loro as analyst and Quique Álvarez who will be the second coach.
This is the year of the Centennial of Alavés, which was founded on January 23, 1921. “If Alavés wins, we win and we will continue to learn and grow. We also want to surround ourselves with the club's professionals to help us. I only think about the games we have left, these nine duels and saving the team“, sentenced the coach of Alcalá de Henares.
Alfonso Fernández de Trocóniz, president of the entity, thanked Abelardo “his work and commitment to the club but, unfortunately, things have not turned out as we all expected. We wish you the best of luck from now on. That being said, for us It is an honor that Calleja has accepted this challenge. With the illusion that he has transmitted to us, let us hope that we achieve our objective “.
Sergio Fernández, Sports Director, also had words of appreciation for Abelardo. On Calleja, he pointed out “that we like his charisma and illusion and we like that from now on they are at the service of our needs. It comes for these nine days but the intention is that he be with us for many more seasons“. Asked about the Lucas case, Fernández said that” we all have to contribute, talk about football, do not feed lies or insults. Those who have to speak in this case are the parties involved and I think they have already done so. We have to speak on the field. “The Sports Director concluded by ruling that”I feel one hundred percent responsible for the successes and failures butI remember that as of today, we have not yet failed. “