Sporting de Gijón executive president José Riestra has outlined a comprehensive five-year strategic plan for the club, setting a target by 2031 to establish the Rojiblancos among Spain’s top ten teams while competing for European qualification.
Orlegi Sports Blueprint Targets Top-Tier Consolidation by 2031
Speaking in an interview with Siroko CEO Borja Mera, Riestra detailed the long-term vision established during an early August group strategy meeting. The framework maps out the club’s development through 2031, focusing on financial sustainability, regular first-division stability, and European contention.
“In the first week of August, we had a meeting at the group level and delivered a five-year plan to 2031,” Riestra stated during the interview. The executive president emphasized that by then, the club aims to be economically self-sufficient while securing a position among the ten most important teams in Spain’s top flight.
The strategic outlook extends beyond domestic league placement. Riestra noted that the club envisions future participation in continental competitions, pointing to the Champions League, the Europa League, and the Conference League as possibilities for the organization’s growth.
Infrastructure Upgrades and El Molinón Modernization
A central pillar of the Orlegi Sports project involves the physical modernization of the club’s home ground. Riestra confirmed that the ownership group intends to renovate El Molinón and its surrounding precinct within the five-year timeline, directly linking the infrastructure improvements to the experience for supporters.
“I would like us to have a renovated Molinón in terms of the stadium and everything surrounding it in five years,” Riestra said, framing the stadium update as an essential component of fan engagement.
Training facilities at Mareo also hold a foundational role in the strategy. Riestra emphasized the necessity of restoring the weight of the youth academy and reinforcing ties with regional football organizations across Asturias. According to the executive, the regional football structure should operate as a pyramid with Sporting positioned at the summit.
The institutional restructuring has already seen the arrivals of Jaime Cuesta, Emilio Gutiérrez, and René Centrón. Riestra also noted constructive consultations with Luis Enrique and Abelardo, praising their humility and willingness to help the current administration.
Immediate Focus on Promotion and Squad Management
While the 2031 targets establish the long-term trajectory, the immediate priority remains securing promotion back to Primera. Riestra asserted that the current squad was constructed specifically to fight for direct promotion, describing the objective not as a burden, but as a dream and an illusion.
“I don’t see it as an obligation, but as a dream and an illusion,” Riestra remarked, taking personal accountability for the campaign’s outcome. “I can’t get it out of my head that in May we are going to ascend. If at the end of the year it is not achieved, the person responsible is me.”
Riestra defended the depth of the roster, maintaining that the club possesses twenty-three players with sufficient quality to accomplish the promotion goal. He highlighted that several members of the current squad chose Gijón despite receiving financially superior offers.
Addressing squad dynamics, Riestra identified injuries as the primary operational concern. Alongside physical, technical, and tactical preparation, he emphasized the importance of mental conditioning in maintaining performance levels. The Sporting Atlético reserve team shares a parallel promotion goal as part of the broader organizational strategy.
Financial Objectives and Transfer Market Realities
On the financial front, the club is projecting its first year without losses, though Riestra noted that the final ledger will depend on the closing months of the year.
The executive also addressed past transfer window movements, acknowledging that the departure of Dubasin went against his personal preference, though he distinguished his individual view from the collective decision-making process of the organization.
Detailing the internal recruitment mechanics under Orlegi Sports, Riestra described a process that balances athletic requirements with financial parameters and planning established by ownership.
Despite market hurdles, Riestra reiterated that the structural framework remains locked on the milestones set for 2031.
