José Bordalás is the visible head of Getafe which is 17 points above relegation and hovering around the European zone in the League. He is living his second stage in the Madrid town, where he is a leader and reference. Sport, from the Prensa Ibérica group, travels to its headquarters on the eve of the duel against Barça.
Is he Getafe Where did José Bordalás want and expect him to be at this point?
The truth is that I am happy, everyone in the club. The team had been suffering a lot for three years, saving itself last season on the last day. Being 17 points away from relegation at this point in the championship and being able to face a game like tomorrow’s in this situation gives confidence and security.
Has the message changed to the locker room?
I’m ambitious. Always at the beginning of the championship we do not set medium and long-term objectives. Step by step, try to score points and see how far we are able to go. After so many players left, a short squad, now in winter four players have left…without a doubt it is to be more than satisfied with how everything is going.
Far from the aura that perhaps there is or was about his team playing to hit, to look for interruptions, we are seeing a ‘Geta’ that generates, vertical.
I have always interpreted football the same way. What I want from my teams is for us to be protagonists, to try to apply high pressure, generate and defend by attacking. It is not always possible. Many times many teams surpass you in budget, in potential, and even if you want to have the ball, you obviously cannot have the leading role. Because the rival in front of you has more quality than you, players who manage time better than yours….
Which figure has influenced you the most when defining your style?
Johan Cruyff. I have always been a ‘cruyffista’. He has been a reference, as a player and as a coach, a person who changed the idea of the game. The thing is that you can’t always interpret football the way you would like because you have to adapt to what you have. We coaches subsist on results and I try to get the most out of my players based on their level and adapt my philosophy, which cannot always be used 100%.
Did you get to know Johan?
Well, there is an anecdote that I think I have never told. It was something very curious. I had a friendship with Marcial Pina, a legendary player who was a colleague of Johan. He has lived and lives in Elche. They had a great relationship. We paid a visit to the Melià Hotel for a Barça game that came to Alicante to play. He introduced me to him and we talked for an entire afternoon, they played at night. It was a pleasure and I remember a phrase. At that time I had not started as a coach yet, my son was very young, I went with him because he was already a big fan of Cruyff and Barça. There was a phrase that struck me. He had just finished the coaching course and he said to me: “Do you want to dedicate yourself to coaching?” I told him yes. He answered me: “If you don’t have good players, forget about it… (laughs).”
How important is locker room management for your idea to be reflected on the field?
It’s fundamental. It’s very important. No longer egos, but different personalities, veterans, young people. It is key to manage that. They have the same problems as anyone else, even if the fan doesn’t have that impression. Boys who lack a certain affection, who understand them, explain to them. You have to know everyone’s personalities.
Let’s talk a little about the game in Montjuïc. To the Barça they are attracted to Getafe.
In a League there are difficulties, we are seeing that the competition is very complex for everyone. The greats a few seasons ago won with some ease and now everything is difficult. The teams have improved at all levels. It’s difficult for anyone, not just for Barça.
Barça has scored one goal against his team in the last four matches…
They are still statistics that happened. They speak well, but nobody lives from the past in football. I am proud of the work, but it is a maxim that I have. I don’t stop to think about the results of the first round or last season.
Is it easier to compete against Barça than against Madrid?
We are talking about teams with an incredible and impeccable history. It’s always a bad time. You never know if it’s good when they come from a good streak, a bad streak, from playing in European competition, from a break…
Xavi leaves. Has he been treated unfairly?
We coaches have great pressure and I have great respect for everyone. I know the difficulties that come with this profession. If Xavi has decided that he should not continue for the good of the club and his, I respect him 100%.
Is Guardiola still weighing too much on Barça?
I don’t think Guardiola’s shadow weighs heavily. There are moments and moments in clubs. Xavi has won a League and a Super Cup at a time of maximum economic difficulty for the club. It must be valued. He is not comparable to Guardiola, he was in a sweet moment with some unrepeatable players.
He got Ilaix back this winter. It has that ‘broken toy’ label…
Ilaix is a special boy that we have to take care of and help. We’re making it. I met him at Valencia. I ended up very happy with its performance. He also came from a delicate situation. He is in very good condition and we are going to try to get him back.
What limits does José Bordalás set for himself, what would he like in the future?
We don’t know what the future holds, but I am an ambitious person and I want to improve. Every day I come to train, I compete, I try to be better, be better prepared to grow and be able to train a great team. I wish Getafe had the goal of training in Europe every year.
England, Italy…Would you like the idea?
I follow both. The Premier is a very attractive league, with rhythm. And the Italian league has grown a lot and I like to see historic teams.
2024-02-24 10:33:23
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