Alfonso Guerra said back in 1982 that “not even the mother who gave birth to Spain was going to know her.” The phrase of the socialist fits like a glove now in Sporting, who is experiencing his own transition. A spididic, effervescent and exciting transition. So much so that it’s hard to believe when you look at the calendar that only a month has passed. Only 30 days since the club and Javier Fernández said “goodbye, very good”. Barely four weeks since that signing in a notary’s office in Madrid’s Calle Goya where Orlegi took control after paying 43 million.
Many things in very little in a very short time. Here’s a troubled summary. In these 30 days there has been time to purge the club’s sports and administrative apparatus, to set a date and form for the capital increase, to present El Molinón as the venue for the World Cup for the second time, to see a membership campaign with rising prices that are going from strength to strength, to talk about signings, arrivals and departures, concentrations, pre-season games and thinking about promotion to First Division. After three decades under the control of the Fernández family and after a few recent years in the doldrums, Sporting, like Gijón, is on the move.
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The day and hour were agreed upon. With a statement, issued at 2:00 p.m. Spanish time, Orlegi Sports was made on June 28, the eve of San Pedro, with 73 percent of the shareholding. Hours later, Alejandro Irarragorri and the rest of his team headed to Gijón, where they had been several days before, to make a historic presentation at El Molinón. Nobody was missing. Neither the mayor Ana González, nor the Minister of Culture, Berta Piñán. Irarragorri, who dared to pour a culete, offered his formula surrounded by all his own. He listened to all of Gijón. “There is no magic wand. We have dedication and work,” he said. Short and foot.
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From there, a non-stop. Alejandro Irarragorri visited the Mareo facilities the next day amidst a veritable mass bath. He was accompanied by David Guerra, the new executive president, and by Gerardo García, sports director. Joaquín Alonso, as the guardian of history, acted as master of ceremonies. From the first day there was talk of a capital increase. Now it is known that this will take place on August 26 in La Laboral. It is expected to increase the club’s capital by seven million euros, of which Orlegi will assume 5.1. Sporting, after years of hardship, will increase its financial margin. It is said soon.
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Perhaps to make the city believe that he was serious, Orlegi defended the condition of El Molinón as the oldest stadium in Spain to host the World Cup for the second time. Said and done. On July 14, with a meeting in Las Rozas (Madrid) at the headquarters of the Royal Spanish Football Federation, El Molinón was confirmed as a candidate to host five matches of the 2030 World Cup. Hopefully, none will be a Germany-Austria.
In sports, another madness. Abelardo started the preseason in Mareo. Manu García went to the Aris and Jony and Cali Izquierdoz arrived in full “stage” in Alicante. Seven signings have been made. Those mentioned, plus Pablo Insua, Juan Otero, Zarfino, Pol Valentín, Cristo and Jordan Carrillo. Not long ago, people longed for Ibai Gómez, formerly of Athletic, who is going to play for Deportivo in the First RFEF. Today the red and white fans are waiting for Cote, who will leave everything to start over in Gijón. In 30 days, as Guerra (Alfonso) said to Sporting, no one knows him.
