Hopefully Elizegi leaves "a good starting point" for his successor

It’s time to close a stage. Aitor Elizegi the witness will be given Ibaigane in less than two weeks. Uriarte, Barkala or Arechabaleta lead the project Athletic for the next four years. The Santutxu man does not want to put a note on his mandate, he leaves it to his successor. “We don’t evaluate where we left it, not us. Definitely on the next team. Hopefully you see this as a good starting point, that’s enough. It is a good foundation on which to start work and continue to inspire us all in this project ”, he assured. Elizegi during the tribute paid by Peña Gainza de Minglanillaone of the oldest in Bilbao clubs.

He’s the “target” his team has marked since he landed Ibaigane in December 2018: “We decided that when someone came, they would find enough tools to tackle their job. I think we’ve done it. ”The journey has rough edges because“ rivals are doing better and better and professional football is growing at an important pace ”.

Elizegi he has a wink for the future leaders of Athletic: “Let’s see if they have a little more luck in the finals.” The president of Management Commission regretted that the youth final of Champions League last week, although she emphasized what was done in the women’s section. “We have left the whole structure in the first three categories, it is not easy. Women’s football has also evolved in a direction that will make our day-to-day very complex, ”she said.

The Santutxu native also does not want to ignore the “super complex” campaign Athletic Bilbao sa First RFEFwith return and safety in the latter part. Elizegi He has some very special words for that Patxi Salinas: “It’s a brave step for someone to raise their hands at the club in denial and decide they’re going to play it. Working at home with these difficulties is not easy because your colors are what you will defend. So. PatxiI told you I wouldn’t do it in public, but I do it on this microphone because it’s a good opportunity to tell you the ‘eskerrik asko’ ”.

“The hardest” for Elizegi This is the 2020-21 season, in the midst of a pandemic and included San Mames Closed due to pandemic restrictions. Personally, he left satisfied after three and a half years Ibaigane. “We had a way of understanding the entity and the club. If we had anything to say, it was we were pretty much the same as the people who came. Athletic”. He hasn’t lost any friends, he admits, and has had “the privilege of getting a few down this path”, some suspecting it was “in the long run”.

“Those who are already there, thank you for staying by my side even though we don’t always make the right decisions. And those of you who showed up, know that we are people who want to be on the street, at the foot of San MamesI was walking slowly pools. There we will meet, on the way to a game. That won’t change, I guarantee it from now on. That’s where it all started and that’s where it will continue, ”he concluded. Elizegi.