Our new Director of Professional Football spoke at his unveiling and made it clear that collective commitment comes before individuals
Antonio Cordón was unveiled this Friday morning at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán, where he spoke with hope about the new project and wanting to return the club to where it belongs:
His arrival
“I am very grateful for the welcome I’ve had and the board for trusting me. We are here to get to work “It has got a bit hotter in the past few days but it has been a lot of work as I start getting to know the club, the people and the facilities. It has surprised me a bit because I have seen a lot of hope, a human quality and excellent professionals. I’ve been impressed by the club’s development, potential and the calibre of people working here.”
Unfinished business
“I’ve always been someone who speaks sincerely and shares what I feel. I had unfinished business here. I’d had two prior conversations during my career, and I couldn’t pass up a third opportunity."
Wounded giant
“Sevilla are a wounded animal but it has the ability, with the help of all everyone working together to comeback stronger and get back where it belongs.”
The coach
“Matías is our new head coach. We had a number of potential candidates. I am not going to speak about those meetings our of respect to those involved. He fulfils our need, and it is the moment for a regeneration of the club and we have chosen him.”
The economic situation
"In Spain today we know that most clubs have economic problems. We are going to have people with commitment to the club, with hunger and desire to grow in all areas, not only in terms of players. I am not worried about the economic circumstances. We would all like to do what we want, even if that does not ensure success, but what I am concerned about is that the club grows, that the fans are proud and that the club is regenerated. For me, the players are not important. It`s like when you have a house and you have to renovate it and you start by decorating it. You have to lay the foundations, the walls and the structures, not the lamps. We are in the process of setting the objectives, achieving the values of Sevilla and I am not worried about the economic part, because I know that deep down this comes in cycles. We have many days left of the market and questions about players will not be answered until August and the final 10 days of the window. There won’t be huge amounts of news until then. The salary limit is an internal matter that we will have to resolve, and we will all work together to see how far we can go. “
Not thinking about other names
“The main aim of the club is to make a committed team. That is achieved with all types of players. We want to grow from the team, regardless of the type of players. We have a lot of confidence in our youth academy, the boys come very strong and all clubs have to use those players for different circumstances. Historically Sevilla has used them and Matias works with young players. He comes in the line we have set ourselves”.
Strengthening in the summer
"The positions will be determined by the market. The summer has not started and there are two and a half months left. The market will be very variable, and we will set guidelines and objectives. The objective is to build a football team and it doesn`t depend on one or two players. We want a committed group and we want the fans to feel proud of this team. I had not planned to talk about any player. Out of respect for everyone, it is time to start making decisions and there are many conversations we are going to start. For you it is necessary to start naming names, but for me the important thing is to make the team, a group and an identity that the fans can be proud of. I do not decide exactly the specific needs. You have to count on the coach and from there, we already work to put together these possible additions, whether they are from the reserve team, from outside or who are already here. You have to be patient because the summer is going to be very long, many names are going to come out, but the signings are not usually made until August. Until then you will see many names, but I have not contacted any player. That will start when we have the coach here and we start to work hand in hand with the whole team.
His career
"Ive been in football for 30 years and Ive worked for many teams. Villarreal, Monaco, Parma, Granada, Tondela and also :poop:. For me, they all have my respect, I have a lot of affection for them, I have friends and professionals with whom I have a cordial relationship. I get along well with everyone, or so I think.
Last season
"When the results are bad, all the players seem bad to us. However, the following year we get good results and that changes. The president has already said that it was a bad season and the idea of the club and everyone is that the club will improve and that we will have that ambition and enthusiasm for the team we all want.”
Almeyda
“Time will tell. We will see. We are sure of the decision taken. You know him as a player, but when he retired he started to coach a recently relegated River Plate and was promoted. He was promoted with Banfield and in Chivas he won seven finals and an American Champions League. And he went to Greece and won the League and the Cup and lost another league at the last minute. If that is not an experience…”.
Departures
"All clubs in Spain and in Europe are open to listening to offers. Sevilla, as the president explained, is in the same situation. What we are not going to do is to mis-sell. Sevilla has a reputation, won many competitions in the last century and has certain values. Circumstances dictate, but we are not going to mis-sell. I have not received any instruction to sell before June 30. Sevilla has no urgent need in that sense.”
The president
“I havent seen a president who works harder than he does. Ive been surprised that one person would work this hard for a club, honestly.”