Aitor Larrazabal signed three weeks ago as new coach and sports director of Barakaldo. Even before the agreement between the club and the coach was made official, the former Athletic player already got down to work with the project of the Gualdinegro team. The loiutarra has already met with many of the players that made up the factory squad last season and has also maintained contacts with some footballers who arouse interest.
In this interview with EL CORREO, Larrazabal reveals that look for troops “close to our territory”, with the intention of reducing the costs of the floors that are provided to outside players. It also notes that will look for several transfers from Lezama. Finally, Barakaldo only has four players – Rabanillo, Gándara, Picón and Carles Marc- for the next course, so far. However, the intention of the new manager is to seal some more renovation, as long as it fits within the budget of the Left Bank squad.
– How have these first three weeks been in the position of sports director at Barakaldo?
Two weeks before signing for Barakaldo I already started working in this area. I knew that this could happen at any time and I wanted to carry out work. Since then, it has been a very intense few days, with a lot of work on the display of players, especially. First I wanted to assess who deserves to continue in the team and who we can not count on because of numbers or because they have not been at the level. I have also been talking to agents and the footballers themselves, both within the club and with players who are likely to sign them.
– Due to the complexity of the situation, will the first signings take time to arrive or is there already practically closed?
Before announcing any additions, I would like to communicate the club’s final kill list. From that moment, everything that has been spoken or that is aimed at being able to close, will come. There is no hurry. There are many footballers and I want them to meet each of the characteristics that I want to form a competitive team.
“The players must be convinced that signing for Barakaldo is a step forward in their career, that it is an ambitious project”
-What are those characteristics you are looking for in a footballer?
Versatile, intelligent, supportive and involved players with this project. These four points are extremely important. We all know that we have a war economy, where we have to lower the budget a bit and still, we have to form a competitive bloc. Players must be convinced that signing for Barakaldo is a step forward in their career, that it is an ambitious project.
– With the economic problems that Barakaldo is dragging, will it be sought to build a block consisting mainly of Basque players to reduce the costs of the flats?
Yes. It is one of the ideas I have. Last year, fourteen or fifteen players were from outside the Basque Country and I will try to turn that around. I want most players to be close to our territory. However, in my previous stage at Barakaldo, we were also looking for players from the area and in many cases it was not feasible.
– It will maintain a good relationship with the main leaders of Athletic’s sports field. Will there be transfers from Lezama?
Yes. Not because I know those responsible for Athletic’s sports management, but because there are players that interest me. Of course, if the player left Lezama does not convince me or I think he will not have enough minutes, I will not hire him due to the fact that Athletic pays the entire amount of his chip. I don’t want to give up for having, I want valid players for the Barakaldo project.
– Is there a Lezama puppy in which it has special fixation?
Yes there are some. At the moment, I am not going to give any name because they have a play-off ahead and it is not convenient to decentralize them, but I am very clear about what I want. If those could arrive, it would be phenomenal and if it is not necessary to look for another profile to form a competitive Barakaldo, which is what worries me the most now.
“The idea is to renew someone else, as long as it meets our budget”
– At the moment, only four players have a contract for the next campaign. Is the idea to renew some more of those who made up the squad last season?
The idea is to renew someone else, as long as it fits our budget, and I have already spoken with their agents to show them our interest. I have also transmitted to the rest of the players that we will not count on them. In the coming days the final list of casualties will be given and from there, without haste but without pause, we will be entering other names.
– Aguirrezabala and Iriondo are already the only Basques with the option to renew. Do they start with more ballots?
When it comes to renovating, obviously, we are going to look at whether they are from the environment or not. However, if there is any player that we consider important, we will not hesitate even if it is from outside. All these names are on my table and I also have to know the intention of these players.
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