Girona’s third largest shareholder, Pere Guardiola, wanted to fill the spirits of the white-and-red fans, who had fallen after losing a golden opportunity in their attempt to return to a First Division that escaped in a way incomprehensible. Despite the continuity in Segona, however, the project will not take a step back. Or at least, according to Guardiola, who has sold a good pinch of his shares to Marcelo Claure in a strategic move in the business field. “We have been thinking for a long time how we could strengthen the social part of the club, so that we can protect it and enjoy solidity. We have evaluated for six or seven months several options, and one of them is Marcelo. We are fortunate to have convinced him, he will give us the strength we were looking for. We will have many challenges in the future, whether business, financial or infrastructure, and it will contribute to our growth “, says Santpedor, who will continue to lead and will also be the chairman of the board of directors. “I understand this maneuver not as a loss but as having used the actions I had in common benefit. The idea, in fact, is to be much more on top than before. We are involved, now more than ever ”.
In the absence of good sports results, Guardiola has recovered a message that was already said three years ago, in 2017: the construction of a Sports City that they hope to accelerate with the arrival of the American-Bolivian businessman. “It’s the first goal, we’ve always said. When we arrived there was a clear lack of resources. With La Vinya, in the PGA, we have solved it temporarily. But we have to have our home, and do the day to day there. The three pillars are first team, infrastructure and training football. We want to continue promoting this path ”. Girona, without clarifying which ones, has worked on two possible locations, and admits that this must be the course of the final confirmation. Whether it will come true or not is another matter. “These things are not easy, we must have the approval of the City Councils, the right land, etc. But the calculation is that important steps will be taken this year to make the Sports City viable “, confirms Guardiola.
The movement of powers benefits the City Football Group, which leads the shareholding with 47%. Marcelo Claure remains 35% and Pere Guardiola, 16%. One of the questions is whether Claure’s landing will benefit in the short term, with a capital increase that will allow Girona to maintain the important assets of the staff, such as Cristhian Stuani. Guardiola does not confirm this. “It’s a possibility, we don’t close ourselves to anything. We will study it based on what happens, because in the end the League regulates the options. But it’s an idea we have on the table. ” What are the steps to follow? “We will have to look at what salary limit we will have, how we can raise it according to the staff, and depending on that, what vehicle we use to make it possible. That is why it is important to emphasize that the more powerful partners you have, like Marcelo, the closer you are to achieving depending on what ”, says the co-owner of the Girona group.
Touch the ground with your feet
Quique Cárcel said in the press conference on the season balance that “the goal, next year, is to ensure 50 points”. Guardiola understands it, because with the illusions generated this course has been played with fire. And Girona no longer wants to be burned. “The message he conveyed makes a lot of sense, it’s realistic. We will have to keep our feet on the ground, in a sporting way. The excitement is the maximum, and we want to remain immersed in the dynamics of the last six years. This is a reality. We look forward to reaching the end alive and ready to compete for the goals. This, in the long run, serves to lay great foundations. But first, prudence and work ”. Surely he will have to do it without Cristhian Stuani, who to continue has to lower his salary because in Montilivi everything has changed. “For us he is who he is, and we have to study how we fit him. It will be difficult for it to continue, but the two sides look forward to staying together. Now everything is very green and we don’t close any doors, but it will be complicated “, Guardiola justifies.
The forms in the return match of the final of the play-off against Elche were cruel, after Girona woke up with the arrival of Francisco, who will continue on the bench, and eliminate Almeria with authority. With just one minute left of the eight that were added to reach an overtime in which staying 0-0 meant promotion, and without Stuani, the kick was one of the ones that hurt. And it’s not the first. “Everyone wears it as best they can. Not going up has been a stick, especially for how. It’s just that it was about details … “, added Guardiola, recalling that the arrival of Marcelo Claure is the first big news of a new season that will begin on September 7, the day when the footballers are mentioned in Montilivi. “Marcelo is a prestigious businessman, he has done great things in his life and is closely linked to football. Finding a shareholder who unites these two aspects to provide us with energy for offices and financial capacity is great news, ”he said.
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