Sergio Rodríguez (Logroño, 1978) played in Segunda with Lleida, Cádiz, Alavés and Real society, with which he rose to First, although he did not renew his contract and concluded his career in Logroñés Sports Union, in Second B. With the team from their land cbegan his career as technical. Since 2017 he's in charge of the club and he just achieve promotion to the silver category, for which it has signed its renewal with the aim of achieving the permanence.
With the Logroñés Sports Union he hung up his boots in 2012 and began his career as a coach. And after three failed playoffs for the team, the prize for promotion to Second.
Having put my grain of sand for the growth of the whole of my city is a source of tremendous pride. The region had 20 years without professional football, too many. For someone on earth it is a double satisfaction. Now it is time to build more, as well as surround ourselves with better means, on and off the field, that allow us to maintain our category and continue in this good line.
How did you manage the days before the match against Castellón?
I consider myself a calm person, but I lived a tense calm, and in the previous and during the clash, especially on penalties, I was very nervous. It was the best opportunity to climb that has been presented to us so far, it had to be used as it was. We had more success and we deserved it. Although we were not just risking the promotion, we will receive an important financial boost. Continuing in Segunda B, and more with the new format being prepared, would have been a problem with playoff expenses.
The first renewal that was announced for next season was his.
Yes, and except for my first contract, which I signed for two campaigns, we go year by year. My relationship with the board is based on trust, I do not want to mortgage the club. For me I would stay here all my life and I wouldn't need papers. Hopefully things will go well, but we all know how football works. I intend to be useful and that my cycle does not end or end as late as possible. We will suffer bad moments and we will enjoy the good ones, to the fans I would say patience and that the more we are in Second, the better. The door of the Unión Deportiva Logroñés is open for Logroño and all of La Rioja.
What do you expect from the squad for the debut in Segunda? What do you need?
In this aspect the responsibility falls mainly on the sports director, Carlos Lasheras. We have twelve contract footballers. In many positions we have no one. I help when they consult me. First, renovations (they reported ten casualties and the interest in prolonging Iñaki, Jaime Sierra and Rubén Martínez). Then incorporations. We know our budgetary limitations. We will outline the coaching staff, other areas will be reinforced and we will bring the best signings within our capacity. I don't look beyond the short term. Whoever comes will do it to add up and get permanence.
Is that the goal?
Yes, go game by game in sports and maintain the category. Institutionally, do not stop growing. Two strengths within the professionalization of the Logroñés Sports Union are based on the construction of the sports city and on the consolidation and expansion of the social mass. We don't want government grievances, we just pretend to work well. As up to date. This is how the results will come, like the cherry on the rise after eleven campaigns of existence. I am where I want to be, with my family, my friends and my team.