The staging for Rubén Reyes’ last press conference was significant. In front of him, Roberto Suárez, Mario Prieto, Álex Díaz, all of them members of the technical secretariat, as well as Rivas and Pedro Luis, in charge of the quarry, and Mata, manager, and César, entered the press room at Carlos Tartiere. , in charge of institutional relations. A few minutes before, Miguel Sanz, responsible for the social area, had entered. However, neither a member of the council nor Federico González, Carso’s adviser, was seen. Reyes made several references to the working group that during these months had supported him in the blue club, spoke of the importance of teamwork and described the season as successful. His farewell, with the handbrake on so as not to go into the issues that had kept him away from Oviedo, also served to learn some details of the legacy he leaves with his departure to Getafe.
“Calculating times in football is impossible. I have transferred my decision to leave to the board in a timely manner so that they have time to work. I do not feel responsible for the news leaking and I am calm ”, the Asturian’s first thoughts were directed at the way he left.
Reyes received the call from Getafe in the final stretch of the competition, with Oviedo playing to enter the promotion play-off. He hid the conversations from the board, accepted Madrid’s offer and that’s when the operation was leaked. Reyes tried to stay in the background, but the situation was untenable. Hence, the resolution of the contract was made public on Monday. “Also last year I spoke with Oviedo before saying anything to Rayo…”, he replied when asked if he had been loyal to the blue club. “I think I have been loyal and committed. I have adapted to the economic conditions of Oviedo and I have gotten involved”, he added.
For Reyes, in the decision “there is a professional component and a personal one. I seek the best for myself, for my future and for my family. I think anyone in my situation would make a decision like that.”
Clarified the reasons for his departure, Reyes got wet on specific issues in the Carbayona squad. The first, the work of Ziganda. “There has been connection and respect, with minimal differences, but with a very positive relationship. The council knows my opinion: the Cuckoo must renew. He deserves it for the results.” Because for Reyes, the season has been “extraordinary. The work of the coach and players has exceeded any expectation. It’s outstanding.”
The Asturian then regretted not having managed to secure the continuity of Borja Sánchez: “It’s the only thing I haven’t been able to achieve. We wanted it to renew for months, but that possibility has not been given. Borja has had exquisite professionalism and he must continue at Oviedo because he is a source of pride for Oviedo fans. He feels the club, works every day and is growing. I missed the opportunity to renew him, but I think the club can do it”.
Now, Reyes begins a new stage in Getafe, in a club in the Primera showcase, although he will not lose sight of Oviedo. “I will always reach out to this club,” he said before being clear: “I have no interest in any player nor am I going to sign any footballer from Oviedo.”
Reyes leaves the blue club with the feeling that his mission, which seemed to look at the medium and long term, is interrupted before its time. He does it to face another challenge but maintains that the work done at Oviedo will continue to bear fruit: “The basis of the project is not a sports director. I believe in teamwork, what has been achieved this season is not because of Rubén Reyes, but because of the joint work of the technical secretariat, the board, the Carso group… They are all committed. The club will continue to grow, it doesn’t depend on one person”.
