Iraola: “Rayo and Athletic are united by the feeling of identity”

Andoni Iraola applies on the bench what made him stand out as a defense: enthusiasm, work … That will be his compass to achieve promotion with Rayo. A good challenge to continue growing.

– What feelings does the preseason leave you?
“Positive, especially in terms of predisposition.” I see the receptive group, wanting to work. They made it pretty easy for me. I especially liked the first two friendlies, those played against Eibar and Leganés. They have absorbed well the concepts we wanted to emphasize.

—He has seen high pressure, verticality, solidity behind, importance of the bands …
-Yes. We want to spend more time in the opposite field. The Ray has a lot of possession, but we will try to transfer it to more important areas. And we also seek to be a balanced team to reduce the goals against.

—Tell us about Fran García, the only signing.
“It will give us depth on the left wing.” With its speed it can go many times up. You do not know the category and you will have to adapt quickly to avoid paying that toll. He is young and has a great future.

– Will there be any signings before Son Moix?
-I dont know. In that sense things go slowly. The market is moving later. We have a lot of homework to do and it's about getting it right.

“You need another side, a winger and a forward.”
—In those demarcations we have our preferences, but I don't do numbers or carry out negotiations. The club must say how far it can go. If I am concerned about the profile of the player who comes, I want certain characteristics. The sports management has understood it and works in that sense.

“And how many exits will there be?”
—They will be based on the number of summons and changes that can be made (5/23). That determines the total number of players in the squad, but there are exits that will take place.

– What role will the quarry have?
“I would have liked to have one more friend to see them.” The opportunities are there, the players have to earn them and we will decide if they have enough level. In general, young people have surprised me because they can give you more options than you thought at first.

—It hasn't been an easy preseason for some of those guys, like Joni Montiel, Mario Hernández, Sergio Benito… How have you managed it?
“Obviously it affects the day to day.” I was already informed, before coming, of the Montiel issue. It seemed like it would fix itself overnight and, in the end, it took more time than we thought. Those days of preparation would have been phenomenal. These are aspects for which you have no direct responsibility, but which affect the team.

—Another setback is being the positives …
—Every time I see a call from the doctor, I expect anything … You are at all times pending the tests. We have had cases and to adapt, day by day, the training. The positives have affected us in the preparation and in the league debut.

—Dimitrievski and Trejo won't make it to the game against Mallorca?
“It is difficult for them to do so.” And there are other cases, apart from COVID, such as Pozo, Baby or Montiel, which are not at full capacity. We can use them to help you from time to time.

—And how is the recovery of Ulloa and Alberto?
—A Ulloa has some time left, like Babe. They are in the final stretch. Alberto's issue is more complex. He has a serious injury and his situation is much more complicated.

“They will play without an audience again.”
– So football is not even the same, it is a substitute. And Rayo is one of the hardest hit by not being able to count on its people and that Vallecas environment.

“What is the club's attention to you?”
—Many times it is news for negative things and there are aspects to be solved, but I prefer what I see inside: great professionals. I am delighted to be able to work alongside them.

—With you arrive Unai Mendia, second, and Pablo de la Torre, physical trainer …
“They are people my age and prepared.” They know me very well and they know what I want. Many times they are the confidantes of the players and they know what they should tell me and what not (laughs). Having trustworthy people is necessary in this trade.

—With only 38 years old, he has already stood out on the benches of AEK Larnaca and Mirandés.
“I still have a lot to learn.” This project makes me excited. Rayo has always seemed like a super attractive team with its own personality.

-What is the OBJETIVE?
—More than half of the Second Division teams dream of promotion … Although the favorites, by budget, are those recently released from First Division. And on a personal level, that the people of Rayo feel identified and proud with what they see on the field. In the job of coach you cannot make plans or in the medium term (laughs). Only very short. More than half of the coaches who are going to start this season are not going to finish it.

– Do you suffer more being a coach?
—I would say that being a player is more enjoyable. Soccer is made for them. There is nothing like playing, but since that can no longer be done …

—Rubén Castro, Nino… by age he still could!
“Well, I'd have to get a few pounds off myself.” (laughs). No, we are no longer for many jogs. Now it's up to others. Rubén Castro, Nino… they are privileged. The exceptions.

Do you see any similarities between Athletic and Rayo?
“Yes, especially in terms of the feeling of identity.” People who are of the Ray are only of the Ray. The same as with Athletic.

– If you could sign an Athletic player, who would you bring?
“There are good options.” He has good defense, but I would stick with Williams. It is the most different. Although I already tell you that it does not reach us (laughs).

– Do you dream of returning home and directing Athletic in the future?
“Our careers don't have to coincide.” Each one must make their way. Also, I am a friend of Gaizka (Garitano). I wish him to continue for many years and things continue to turn out so well for him.

—How have these first weeks been in Vallecas?
– These days I am, above all, in the Sports City because there is a lot of work to do. Masks help a lot in the face of anonymity, but the people who have recognized me have been very kind. Let's see if we can translate his illusion on the grass.