MADRID, 30 May. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The coach of Olympiacos, the Spanish José Luis Mendilibar, was excited after winning the UEFA Conference League, although he confessed that it will be “in a few years” when he will be able to stop and think about what he has achieved at the continental level in the last year. after being champion of the Europa League with Sevilla.
“It has taken a lot for these successes to come. Until now we have fought for other things, which have also gone more or less well, but this big thing, last year, this one, welcome,” he said in statements to Movistar Plus, collected by Europa Press.
The Greek team beat Fiorentina this Wednesday in the final held in Athens thanks to a goal from El Kaabi in the 116th minute. “It was tremendous because it seemed like we were going to penalties. It was very difficult to score a goal and in an isolated play we achieved it,” he said about the 1-0 moment.
“I remember the family, who have the worst time, who can’t do anything and are the ones who suffer the most. Then, of all these fans who follow us everywhere and give us tremendous strength, then the club that For next year’s centenary this is going to be very good and, above all, for those of us who have been fighting day to day for these four months and have taken this forward,” he said.
On the other hand, the Basque coach was asked about his emergence at the continental level, from having no experience to winning two titles in one year. “In a few years I imagine I will remember this, not now. In a few years I will think about what we did and I will put my hands on my head,” he said.
In addition, Mendilibar confessed the meeting with fellow Spaniard Ernesto Valverde before the final, who was coach of Olympiacos in two stages and won five titles. “I saw Valverde before the final and he wished me luck. He is very loved here and now I still empathize with him,” he concluded, without doubting that he will continue with the Greek team and with the year left on his contract after his arrival in February.