“There’s talent in the squad”

Alex Pallarés held his first training session yesterday at Lezama in charge of Bilbao Athletic. Before dressing down, he answered questions from MD and TeleBilbao in the press room. The new rojiblanco coach speaking.

When did you get involved with Athletic?

Everything is very fast. On Monday morning I received a call which was the first contact. We talked and in the afternoon, 8:15 pm, he came from Valencia.

What attracted you to Athletic’s proposal?

For those who are lucky enough to work for many years in training at other clubs; Athletic is always a reference, if not the reference. It is a unique, specific club, with an important idiosyncrasy. Despite working for several years in professional football, when someone, like me, is like a trainer or has that formative aspect; Athletic is the reference around the world. A club known and recognized worldwide for its idiosyncrasy.

What do you know about the First RFEF?

New competition started with restructuring. We happened to have a team in the Valencian group and I saw something there. Actually until Monday I saw only one encounter. That same day I started watching games, five games, at home, at the airport, here at night. It’s all about trying to get to know the players in the best way possible and when you come here you know a little bit about them on an individual level.

Last season there was a change of coach at Bilbao Athletic. How do you see the current situation?

I think there is talent in the squad, with good players. Some very dedicated men who love this club. We will try to make the most of each of them to advance this situation, with the utmost confidence that this will be the case.

Are you worried that the team has only six goals in twelve games?

More than worrying, we need to distract ourselves to try to find the path so that goals and results come.

What did the club ask of you: results or training?

The club speaks to me, and we also agree, that there is a major formative aspect. You have to try to improve, develop and get closer to these guys every day to reach the first team. That will be goal number one. Then we are in a competition that is very complex, professional, the rivals have a good level and we have to work to achieve permanence.

Are you going alone or with a work group?

I am alone to adapt to the club, the context and the circumstances and it is very positive to work with people from home, with people who love this club, who know the men, who know the city. They were the best companions I could have had the situation with.

Will he be pulled from Basconia?

It’s too early to talk about it. What is fair at the moment is that he knows well the players we have at Bilbao Athletic and from there, together with the sports management, we can make the most appropriate decisions.

What does the fact of being the first coach of Bilbao Athletic who is not from Biscay and has never played for Athletic tell you?

He tells me that some people have decided to trust me to go and work with them to move this situation forward. First of all, I am very grateful to them, it is a great responsibility for me that they put their trust in me and for me it is a great pride and pleasure to work for this great club.