Pacheta: “I take the love of a city and a hobby, that is priceless”

There is a week left for the start of LaLiga and Pacheta has practically just started his vacation. How do you handle it?

Good, resting, slowing down and taking advantage of the time to be with family and friends. He had not had a few days of vacation in almost five years.

Already cold, how have you assimilated leaving Elche as you did?

Naturally. As I said in my farewell: I'm leaving, but my heart has stayed in Elche.

Do you feel anger, understanding or indifference seeing what has happened?

I feel Elche as something mine. I see him from a distance, always wishing him the best.

Was there a disagreement with Bragarnik?

None. The property makes the decisions it deems appropriate because its assets are at stake. I only wish the best for Elche and its fans.

Elche was seen as the great loser by the Fuenlabrada case. Once everything is finished, do you think you are the victim for being late to the market?

It is likely, but I already knew this could happen. Offers have passed ahead, but times were not the same for everyone. I always bet on finishing the season. And it ended in a magnificent way.

Is there something that you regret or that has not been discussed, but has made you suffer?

Of course, there have been tough situations that have robbed you of sleep, but in the end everything has been worth it; now is not the time to talk about it.

Why did you replace Edgar Badia against Cádiz?

Because I believe in my heart, which was the one that asked me that San Román deserved to play. And I think I was right. He had two top goalkeepers. They are decisions that make the group grow exponentially.

How does it feel to see your ‘boys’ Gonzalo Villar and Óscar Gil in the U-21s?

Pride. This reflects the work done by the coaching staff and by the players themselves to grow every day.

With Pacheta on the bench, he transferred to Sory Kaba (€ 4M,) to Gonzalo Villar (€ 800,000), to Juan Cruz (€ 2.75M), now to Óscar Gil (€ 500,000). Have you remembered to count him out and thank him?

I have always said that when I leave a club, I have to leave a better institution and better players. I leave satisfied with both.

Were you questioned during the season or did you always notice the support of the club?

I never felt questioned. And if that happened at some point, I didn't find out.

Where will you train in the short or medium term future?

I have no idea. I want to rest, watch football and wait. When I return to training, I will value everything to try not to fail in my choice.

Do you value foreign options?

I have always valued them. I have trained four years outside of Spain and that experience has made me a better coach.

Have you lost or gained years of life in Elche?

Years I do not know, but I take the love of a city and its hobby. That is priceless.

How does someone feel who leaves without having received a bad word, in his farewell, from the most critical?

I do not intend to convince everyone, I just try to live and decide under normality and honesty.

Who do you remember at this moment when you think of Elche?

I remember too many people to put names. I leave a lot of dear people, great friends.

What does Spanish soccer have to learn from the pandemic?

That health comes first and that I like football with the public. And that I'm leaving without seeing the full Martínez Valero, which was one of my dreams. I have not seen it de facto, but inside I do feel that I have achieved it.

What would you keep?

The 22 mentioned; the five changes; the VAR, improving its application; and I think that we must play in the same measures in all stadiums.

What does Pacheta dream of personally?

Personally, that my family and my loved ones are in good health. And professionally, I dream of training in the First Division.