The maximum shareholder of Rayo (Madrid, 1977) attended As a few hours after the last and epic promotion, a comeback of ten and with ten in Montilivi. The president offered some clues about what is coming: the bench, the squad, the goals, the stadium, the quarry and the women's … Sports, institutional and also social issues, such as their relationship with the fans.
“How would you define promotion?”
“Epic and highly anticipated, on our part.” We were convinced that we were going to achieve it. To carry out such a feat you have to believe and the group did. We left 50 people on the expedition with the team and we were all convinced. The most beautiful page in the history of this club has been written on a sporting level because we broke many barriers. It is the first ascent away from Vallecas and the first comeback in the opposite field, we also beat a rival who had not lost thirteen games and barely fit in … It was all against so that the options seemed minimal, but faith turned the corner. balance. And that bit of fortune that you have to have fell from our side.
– And what does the return of the club to First mean?
“You make more, but you also spend a lot more.” Now is not the time for numbers yet, in a few days we will figure the budget. At an economic and sporting level, we try to work with some planning, two or three years ahead and creating different scenarios. Now the problem is that we are in First, the other 17 teams have been on vacation for a month and the other two that have risen, three weeks. In that aspect we start with a disadvantage. We are going to do our best to balance that and sign a worthy year, since the goal will be permanence. A very difficult thing being a newly promoted.
—The pillar of the project will be the technical one. Do you see Iraola's continuity feasible?
—We have a very good relationship, both personally and professionally. That makes things a lot easier. We will sit down to talk, to see nuances and intentions, but the predisposition of both is good. When he came we knew he was a coach who could fit in with this squad and the football we wanted to do. The humane treatment has been very good and we have achieved the objective, so the year has been round.
– Will there be continuity or revolution in the staff?
“We want to keep a large part of the block for First.”
“Iraola? We will sit down to talk, but the predisposition of both is good”
—There are eight players who end their contract or loan, including Baby and Fran García, have steps been taken for the continuity of any?
—We will address these issues with the sports department in the next few days. You have to sit down and analyze each case and particularity. We will do it calmly, talking with each of the footballers to see their feelings and interests.
– Will the Atlético and Real Madrid loan formula be activated? The Real Madrid player Arribas is already playing …
—We don't close ourselves to any option, like that of assignments, but we haven't put names on the table. This is not the time. You have to start the house with the foundations and those are in the coach.
– Will the departure of Rubén Reyes imply a restructuring in the technical secretariat?
—We have very good professionals within the club and, in a few days, we will leave the organization chart of the sports department completely defined.
—Beyond sports is the social aspect. How do you face the season tickets for the next year and the return of the people to the stadiums?
“We must be sure how the public can return.” Hopefully it can come and in greater numbers, that will mean that we are overcoming this very serious pandemic. When we have concretions, which depend on the Government, we will address it.
– Have there already been the refunds of the pending amounts of the 19-20?
“Yes, everything is settled and updated.”
—The last matches with the public showed the fracture with the fans, the last disagreement being the invitation to the VOX members' box. Do you understand that feeling that your presence clashed with the values of the neighborhood and the team?
—Every effort will be made from Rayo so that there is maximum social peace and union between the fans, the club and the players. What we are not going to allow is that nobody tries to impose what must be done. Nobody is legitimized to give the card of holder of values, nor of what they are. Fracture? It is with a group of the fans, which encourages a lot. We want them, of course, in a respectful and legal manner. By fulfilling these two conditions, everyone is well received at the Ray. Hopefully they understand and we can have everyone. The more united we are, the stronger we will be.
“Don't you have the feeling that discontent has increased over time and is not just coming from part of the crowd?”
“They have been the same for ten years.” The club has open arms to build a Ray of all, better and more united.
—With the pandemic, they have missed the direct involvement of the club in solidarity initiatives promoted by the fans … Wouldn't that have been a good way to build bridges?
—The club has a Foundation that collaborates in many initiatives. If they approach, they propose them and it is possible, they will support each other. The important thing is to carry them out, whoever they start from, for the mere fact of helping. The Ray is open to collaborate.
—There was an ERTE within the club, has it already left for good? Were the problems in the quarry solved?
“That was always arranged.” Things were said that we had to deny with audit reports. They were hoaxes to try to generate problems, tension and a bad image. El Rayo, despite the pandemic, has paid everyone their signed contracts in a timely manner.
“The Ray seeks social peace, but no one will dictate what to do”
– The quarry and the feminine one are a priority bet?
—It has always been committed to both, but from an order that goes through adjusting the generation of resources to expenses. This is how the sections must operate to perpetuate themselves. We look for sustainable and unsustained departments. That is essential from a management point of view.
-The Feminine Ray has also had a great campaign …
—It has a lot of merit to stay in First a year in which four teams dropped. It is a very big success. This season has been difficult and, from Rayo, we have set an example of responsibility with society. We were the only team that refused to start the season until there was a protocol. Despite the multiple pressures received, internal and external, we understood that the protection of health was above any sporting competition and economic interest. We started the preseason a month later than the rest and, despite this disadvantage, consciously assumed, we were saved.
“How are the stadium works going?”
—They depend on the Community of Madrid and we have asked for some meetings to speed up these two months to have the field in perfect condition when LaLiga begins.
—You always influence the growth of the club, what are you working on?
—The Ray for ten years has not stopped growing. In 2011 it was in technical bankruptcy, in absolute ruin, and the first step was to clean up the accounts and stabilize them. In addition, every time we train more children, almost twice as much. We have expanded our facilities and our structure of trainers. Also our social mass. Our intention is to continue growing because this is how we will do more good to Vallecas. We are an economic and, above all, a social engine for the neighborhood, Madrid and the Community.