Imanol, I didn’t hesitate

On the eve of the match against Real Madrid, a strange episode took place, starring Imanol and for whom it is written, when I deliver the president’s statement Afternoon a few hours before about its renewal: “Imanol “He’s earned it,” his words, contradicting, in a way, the coach himself who repeatedly pointed out that “he has to earn.” Because of the apparent contradiction, I asked the coach to unravel the plot, if possible. And, to my surprise, he decided to “throw me the wall” which I did not expect. I tried to give him the ball back, but Imanol He insisted on continuing the play, and asked me the famous “you think I won?” And he was not satisfied until, for the third time, he got a definite “yes” from me. What happened at the end of the press conference was witnessed only by colleagues present, as the microphones were already closed. He came over to where I was standing and said, “Txemayou have failed me… you have doubted”, everyone was enveloped in laughter.

Jokes aside, I must say that the “yes” in his third attempt to snatch an answer is not a “yes” that corresponds to a declaration of love, but to a declaration of principles. Principles that lead me to respect and appreciate the honest work of a professional, who has not been given anything, except, perhaps, the opportunity to lead the team of his life. The rest became the work of Imanoland no one can question the merit of his work. We repeated it ad nauseam, he shouldn’t be there at this point, because the original plan was different, but he was in charge of writing a different script, and there was no need for me to discover it, absolutely brilliant. Despite the doubts that may arise about his future, the fact is that the Orio coach has already expressed his willingness to continue managing the txuri urdin ship for a while, although, of course, the results are if what determines the longevity of your project. For this reason, and for many other things, I want to make it clear, Imanolwhich I never doubted.

Sadiq, no choice

that’s it Sadiqby the end of the last campaign he had all the tickets to leave Real Sociedad, by any formula, this is something even the rabbits knew. The heavy investment made, and the poor salary of the Nigerian footballer, invited an immediate solution to be found. The options were real, and none of the parties hid them, but, for one reason or another, none of them ended up coming true. This – although not the only one – conditions the club’s football management method when approaching any other operation.
Sadiq He has gone from being the team’s great hope for success to little more than a suspicious lump on the pitch. In the end, the market months passed, and the club finally took advantage of another method, by removing Carlos Fernandezwhere the march of Sadiq It’s not that much pressure anymore.
SadiqAgainst the odds, he stayed at Real Sociedad, and the only thing left to do was work to regain the best of the professional. Imanol He strives in every public appearance to “convince” the staff that the footballer is committed, that he is working hard, even if the numbers turn against him. No choice but to continue
trying it.

2

Good host

It is clear, in light of Real’s numbers at home, that this is what visiting teams must think, that Real is a “great host”, entertaining his visitors, and allowing them to leave with saddlebag. The statistics from last season, where the team did not win even 50% of the games played at home, are clearly an unsustainable anomaly. And this season, so far, both.

3

Robin’s shadow is long

Surprising the naturalness, bordering on irreverence, with which some, even from within the club, assumed the departure of Le Normand. They understood that this was a fairly well-covered casualty. A few preseason games, and the start of the competition, are enough to prove that Breton will not be so easily forgotten. Hence the ecstatic reception received for its replacement, Nayef Aguerd. Must!