Garitano: “Leganés should never suffer for being in Second”

The set for the photographs has been assembled for a long time in the Butarque Sports Facility. It includes a small goal, a bag of balls and some other decorative element. It will be about half an hour before the session ended when Asier Garitano (Bergara, 51 years old) appears on the scene still wearing work clothes and in his eyes an unmistakable sign of what he does not like. The thing promises to hesitate. Sure.

“But all this, what is it?”, shoots the photographer point-blank, with whom he maintains the confidence that five years of adventures south of the capital exude. “Stop chattering, I don't like that posing and you already have many photos of me”, he hesitates again between laughter while threatening to have a few words with the editor who has come up with such a display.

Thus, what promises to be a typical photo session is transformed into quick bursts that put aside superfluous additives to show only what is authentic and necessary. To the. To Garitano. The scene, which barely lasts half a minute, exudes the essence of what represents the return of the technical miracle cucumber to Leganes. A bet for the fundamental and more effective. The normality of success taken to the extreme.

Well, he has been in Leganés for almost a month….

And I feel good, really. It's a bit more comfortable than going, I suppose, in the middle of a season to a city you don't know. Here I know everything: the city, the people to work with … nothing has changed facilities or players …

It will give him more work almost to settle in the city.

Well, yes… I'm really busy: the house, the family… and in terms of sport, everything has been fast and intense, with games during the week. But come on, well … very happy.

It seems like he never left …

It could be … because people are the same. Do the same thing as before. Everything is much simpler and more familiar. We all know each other. Absolutely all. For you and me it is easier. We have spent many years here. Everything is faster and normal. Easy.

Has the Garitano who returns changed a lot?

I don't think… I have gained experiences, because I have worked in two good clubs like Real Sociedad and Alavés with good people. That makes you better. All that happens to you are new experiences. I hope it has helped me and that now it is better. But the essence is the same. I know where I come from and how things work in Leganés. I try to instill that in the players, who already knew them a lot.

The compliments are raining …

What do I know … that's football. When you win it's like that. And when you lose, it will be the opposite, I imagine. But I already said it, the idea was to improve the things that were being done and to get closer to those at the top. What happens is that everything has been very intense. Now the feelings are good, but the road, I know, will be hard. The teams at the top are sensational.

Don't haggle: you are the new star of Leganés.

No, no … take off … the star of Leganés will always be the group. The team. Players. Soccer is a player thing. We outsiders try to help them get the most out of it. That is the goal. But always, the most important thing is the players.

And with these players, what does the dressing room smell like?

To illusion. People are excited. It was still a bit difficult for them … the three leading teams had gone a little bit with a lot of difference in terms of points. And now that they are closer, well … people are always very predisposed to work. They look there. Let's see how far we are able to go. But they are aware that things can be done well.

When the bar of illusion is raised, the disappointment of not achieving the objectives can also be great …

Well … But there already each one. That is why it is important to know who you are, where you come from …

Explain …

This club has to be happy to be in professional football and fighting with the best. Then, if they give you the option to go up, the better … but being with the best is a joy. It is not a suffering to be three, six from the head …

The president says that now the goal has to be to return to Primera year after year.

I already read it in AS. The desire is to be with the best, of course. And if you have a good year, go back to a category like First.

But does it coincide with the president? One more year in Second would reduce the budget and perhaps the objective of the promotion would be much more complicated.

More than promoting, it is trying to be with the best. Be with those eight-ten teams. That will be the goal. There will be years that can turn out very good and maybe you move up and others that maybe it costs you. In Segunda there are many teams with a lot of experience. Big cities. Fighting with them is a pride for Leganés.

Despite the decline from First?

Sure, the most important thing is to be happy. That it is not a suffering to be in the Second Division. That should never happen in Leganés.

Why is it so far from the past?

Because those are stories not to sleep. You get very old and you start to remember that if I have done this, the other … that has already happened. It's there, but now it's another new story. You have to have the mentality that you don't live on what you've done before. But what you do now, tomorrow. The above serves as your experience, but only for you. Not to others. You live in the moment. I want to repeat that to everyone.

And why don't you like to talk about promotion?

Because it is something in the medium or long term that does not get me anywhere. I like today. If you look long term, you get distracted. You stumble and fall. You have to be focused on what is closest to you. It is the only reality.

Does having a budget of 30 million in Segunda generate pressure?

None to me. I know what I want. I didn't know if we were 15, 30 or 45. I don't care. We only want to be with the best we have the budget we have. The budget we have is not going to change me. The idea is clear to us.

But with that budget, perhaps Leganés should act as dominator in the Second Division …

When possible, as always. When you can, yes, and when not, to suffer and grit your teeth. Counter rivals. That is current football. You're not going to pretend to submit… I mean… that's what everyone likes, but there are games that you can't. And you have to be aware. Have that mentality and defend when you play. Squeeze the males and suffer. That is high competition.

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But this template is very good …

The promotion squad was powerful… very, very powerful. Even then some players did not have the name they now have. But there were Omar, Miramón, Galarreta, Rubén Peña, Gabriel Pires … nobody knew him then … They were very powerful people. This template is different, but we already saw the result of that one.

He has never said what things he wanted to improve about this Leganés when he arrived.

I already talk about that in there, in the locker room. I wanted to change some situations, but that already remains for the group. We have to influence these situations to be closer to those situations.

Keep haggling me …

Many things … but that will stay there.

Many things?

Well… no… what I'm telling you. Nuances of how each coach sees it. We see that differently. I have some things that I think could help us in this team. We are on that line. If you then see that the results accompany you, that will give us value. Let them believe that they can be like that. We need it, we need to believe.

The players say they have increased the physical demand a lot …

I don `t believe…

Yes, they say …

We train like we train. More, less … will be different. I don't know if it's more or less, because I didn't know what was done before. I know what we want to do. We will continue in that line.

Now, for example, individual gym sessions are held in the afternoon …

Yes, but we have done that everywhere. We believe that there are aspects, beyond work, that must be taken care of. What to control. The individualized work for the improvement of each one will be done when we have to. We have nothing to do but work and struggle. It is the obligation we have here.

Didn't any team really call you until you returned to Leganés?

No … I had a chance when the season ended, also to go abroad, but I already said it. I did not want to start any project. I made it clear to my representative. I didn't even offer myself anywhere. Some teams asked, but come on, there was no option …

And in those appeared Leganés …

I was clear that to be in the Second Division, it had to be Leganés or no other possibility.

And in First?

We are already seeing it, there are not many options, there are no projects. I also preferred to be in this project, in Leganés, than to be in some other team.

And what about training abroad, can't you see?

In principle no … no … Unless it's something you say is worth it. A team that gives you the option to fight for titles. But it's not easy … and I haven't looked for it either, I don't know if there would be options or not. I already tell you that I have not given rise to that.

How is it going in languages? English, for example?

I have studied something when I was at La Real, because you see that more and more players who speak English come and that they try to learn Spanish … and well, with a little time I learn, but I'm getting older and it costs me a lot.

So speaking it, speaking it doesn't speak it?

It gives me two things to tell you, to understand at least three simple things. No more.

You say that Leganés, when he now resumed contact, made an effort that convinced him. What do you mean? Money, more weight in decisions …?

A bit of everything … I already told you that in order to come here what the conditions were. They were accepted and that's it. I hope everyone is happy. With clear ideas. To start working.

In a situation that was not easy …

It is that it is not easy to make the decision to dismiss a coach while in the play-off. It's reality. But the ambition of the club was to try to improve and we are in that line. Be closer to the teams above. Here we go.

But you have more decision-making power now than when you left …

I just don't remember … things are clear to me, but here, normally, the things that I want are usually achieved. But now there was nothing …

Sorry?

That the template was what it was. We have not done any incorporation. The idea was to focus on what is there. We are in it. There is nothing else. We lose all the energy in that, in nothing else.

Txema Indias ends contract, would you like it to continue?

He is a person who has been here for a long time, we know each other, he is a great guy, he is a worker. But I think neither he nor we are on that ground right now. I haven't even discussed it with him … I didn't even know.

Really?

No, I didn't know it ended. I don't know how those issues will be. In time everything will work out, I guess. I don't think there are problems, but I don't know anything. I haven't talked to Txema or anything.

You used to say that it was important for players and coaching staff to keep in touch with the city to find out what Leganés represents. He keeps thinking about it.

For me yes … at least be me. But I understand the player. Is not easy. Everything is changing, evolving. Then the options that the surroundings of Madrid give you to isolate yourself a bit … we have also been in the First Division. Players are like that.

But now they are in Second …

I still feel comfortable because I have been here for years, but like them … but hey, the important thing is that they are comfortable. I know that some live here and are happy. Others of you live outside, but we go, but there we are not going to lose much energy.

But before it was important to you …

The important thing is that they know which club they are in. And on that we will already emphasize so that no one forgets where we come from and what has given us the chance to be with the best. Regardless of whether they live in Leganés or La Finca. The important thing is to know who you represent, and what Leganés is like.

Are you leaning a lot on veterans?

No, I have to know them. That facility helps you. I know how they are. I've had them. They have given me a lot, but I already told you that we do not live from what happened then, but from now. From the day to day of this moment. We will try to get performance not only from them, but from absolutely everyone. In addition, this staff is broad and has competition in all positions.

So your pulse won't shake if you have to sit heavy weights in the stands or on the bench …

Nerd. It is so. They already know me. They already know. That will happen. Absolutely. With them or with any player.

It is not the case of Eraso… he is playing everything where he did not play anything before.

But Javi is because he is in that position as a midfielder. In the drawing we have modified what was done. It was played with two forwards and two inside. We have put another figure there.

Midfielders really have few …

Well… there is Eraso and some other midfielder, but there are only five pure midfielders on this team. We are using three. That was the idea, to see how they would go. Things are working fine, but I say again. This template gives possibilities for many things …

For example…

To play with three inside, to play as they were playing before, because there is a lot of attack. You can also play with three centrals because there are ten defenders in this team … the most important thing is predisposition and talent. The coach just chooses.

So such a large staff, is it a problem or not?

Let's see … I've always liked working with fewer players. Have 20-21 outfield players and three goalkeepers. And then, if something happened, then the people from the branch would come. Now that's what it is… we have 24 outfield players and three goalkeepers. That for the day to day is not easy for the players. What is going to mark me is the day to day and his talent. Make an effort. That they are involved in the project. And things are going quite well. We will see the response of the team.

How is Bustinza after the Almería ruling?

Nothing. Good. That is part of football. He has also had some injury problems this year. When he comes he was bored. Non-continuity does not help you. But we already know it. It will compete well.

Contract ends …

Right now we don't waste a second on that. Not even a single one.

The entire field squad has already played with you except Lasure, Brandon and Juan Muñoz. Will they have opportunities?

Well… uh… you never know. If they train as they are training, with the commitment they have and the desire they have and the individual improvements of each one, any player on the squad can play. But, they are aware that it is a large template. Of those 24 on the field, only ten play. They are 14 out. That usually doesn't help.

This is the most trusted coaching staff he has had in recent years.

It is important. The last two teams were people from the house. Soccer is like this… Here, when I arrived in 2013, in Segunda B, I had the option of creating my coaching staff. They were people he had worked with. Then came Pedro. This year it was the similar idea. People who knew how I worked and the truth is that here they have given me all the facilities to choose what I wanted.

Before, I didn't have a nutritionist and now I do …

I handle it well. Everything he makes me eat, I eat. I always say the same thing. I don't care where they eat or where the players eat, but that also has to do with commitment.

It's more of an individual responsibility, right?

That will be the responsibility of the nutritionist, of the player, but the demand is maximum to be at the limit of all situations to compete and set your goals. Each player has to put himself in very good condition. We are in it. That is very important: rest, nutrition … that depends on him, the players, their families, the nutritionist. And if we have to change the player, we will do it to get the most out of it.

Miguel Pérez, the physical trainer, is he still keeping the fat control?

Well … we talked to the nutritionist. They are the experts on these things. They had some scales and we contributed to where each player has to go …

I sense that you have changed things …

No, well … we are clear about what we want. I have had many players. And now they have to reach their limits to compete as we want.