Caminero: "My best memory is the moment we reached the Champions"
The sporting director speaks about the great campaign and the union and commitment of the coaches and players.
Jose Luis Perez Caminero is already preparing for next season at Atletico Madrid with almost no time to enjoy a brilliant campaign like the one that has just finished. For the Atletico Sporting Director "the balance is very positive. We've done our homework, we have achieved our goal, which was to qualify for the Champions League, and in the process have picked up two titles in the Super Cup and the Copa del Rey. The team has competed at a high level and has won through to the group stage of the Champions League as has won two titles."
Analysing the season, Caminero wants to highlight as a key to success, "the commitment of the players, good technical work, the great relationship between players and coaches and solvency in the biggest games of the season. This has given us peace of mind to tackle each game with the best guarantees. The behaviour of the coaching staff and players has been exceptional."
The behavior of the coaching staff and the players have been exceptional
Keeping together the block that gave the club its second Europa League is another basic element highlighted by the Atletico sporting director: "It is clear that the basis of the players from last season plus the addition of several players who came to us have served us a block to build on. The commitment has been very high both from players and the coaching staff. It has also been important the work that has been done developing in the club and maintaining a block and bringing in players that increase the level and allow us to meet each challenge."
The head of the sports values the titles won, but "personally I prefer the time we mathematically qualified for the group stage of the Champions League. This was very important for the stability of the club and is also key for players to contest a competition in which the best in the world compete, where everything takes on much more importance and the tournament where Atletico Madrid belongs."
Another of the highlights of the year was the renewal of Simeone for four seasons. Caminero is delighted with this agreement for a long-term project: "We are very pleased with the work he has done since joining. It is a commitment to the future, a large project that he is the head of, and he has earned it with his work and effort, setting the benchmark for this club for years. It's the best news we could have."
He also wanted to thank Falcao for delivering during these seasons and his commitment to Atletico Madrid, "Falcao has performed exquisitely during the two years he has been with us. He has delivered the most and we have to thank him for all he has done for the squad. Last season was very important, but he made a commitment to us and wanted to stay to win titles and to qualify for the Champions League, so we have to give him thanks. He now has a new challenge ahead and we wish good luck to him."
As for the next project at Atletico, Caminero is clear that "we will have a very competitive team to participate in three competitions next season. As I said before we need to keep the block and reinforce to continue to grow and remain competitive, within the limits set by our budget. This is the policy of the club, which is what we’ve done this season and what we plan to continue doing for the next".
The challenge remains the same: the ticket to the Champions League. The sporting director confirms: "The goal remains to compete in the league to be in the Champions League, that's our challenge. Then of course, we will be competitive in both the Champions League and in the Cup as our coach will go game by game, which is the best way to fight for the goals, but qualifying for the Champions is key, Atletico Madrid should be among the best."
Finally he wanted to highlight the great work of the players and the gamble the club has made on them: "The academy is an important part of our project. The home grown players have lived since childhood what is Atletico Madrid, what the values are, the greatness of this club and they are responsible for transmitting to the rest what it means to wear the red and white shirt. We are proud to have developed the players like Gabi, Mario, Koke ... who have been critical in our a season as good as this. Pulido and lads like Saul, Óliver and Manquillo from the B team have shown that they are prepared to help the team when needed."
