Manzano: “The fans should trust me, we’re not going to disappoint them”
We’re not going to put limitations on our team
Gregorio Manzano returns to what was him home a few years ago. The Manager show his delight at his appointment and promised to the ‘rojiblanco’ fans that he’d be giving it everything. “I don’t think I’ve arrived during bad times for the club, I’m faced with attractive challenge. We must keep a positive mindset, We must get away from the word failure. Our starting point is the seventh place we finished with last season, we want to improve on that. Our objective is to improve on that position and that’s what’s expected by a club of our size and history”, claimed the boss.
The new manager of the ‘rojiblanco’ club is looking to excel in the league as well as the Spanish Cup and Europa league. “It’s not just about the league, we’re also focus on the other two competition will be competing in. When you start a new job you’re always looking to raise the bar, and that’s what we’ll be trying to do. We don’t want to put limitations on what we’re trying to do, everything is possible. Obviously it won’t be easy. We believe in our chances and in our jobs', said Manzano.
The preseason will start in a few days for the ‘rojiblanco’ side. Manzano has already started work and stated “I’m not thinking about the word failure. Today’s society is overcome by negative thoughts. Atlético has got life and hope. The squad is young and ambitious. The club will provide me with the necessary means to achieve success. I want to build a team with the intention of being successful. I’m sure I can form a competitive and balanced team. We’re going to bring some good afternoons to our stadium. The back room team is going to give their life to the team”. The ‘rojiblanco’ gaffer doesn’t believe his first spell with the club was a failure, he explained that “from a professional point of view it wasn’t a failure. The team improved its league position on the previous year from 12th to 7th position. I’ve been managing professionally for 12 consecutive years. Nobody in Atlético is incapable, we’re all qualified to be here”
Manzano also spoke about the part the academy will play in the first team, stating “Atlético de Madrid has always had an important academy, in the current squad we’ve got important players who’ve come through the youth system. The project we have is to work with young players who are quality and competitive. The club also has the financial strength to go out and buy players to compliment what we have. The mix of youth and experience will be the future of Atléitco de Madrid. Gabi, who made his debut and Mario Suarez, who had to go in order to grow, we hope they’ll be what the current academy kids look up to”.
'I’d tell to the fans to have faith in me and my technical team, I’m not going to mislead them. We’ll speak at the end of the season, I’ve got results wherever I’ve been. They’ll see a strong and wholehearted Atlético de Madrid. I’ll try to bring them good football. It’s the start of a new team with new hope and enthusiasm. With players who want to get to the top of the football world. Atlético de Madrd is historically a big club, but currently it’s an attractive club, have faith in me and my team”, he assured.
When asked about possible signings, Manzano replied “the base is already there. Speaking in percentages, we’d say that we’re 80-90% there. We’re subject to people coming and going, just like any club. We’ll have to bring in a few players in the areas which need strengthening the most. But the most important thing is that we’ve already got a strong base. With regards to our planning for pre season, we’ve got to play on the 28th of July and the 4th of August so we’re already working towards those dates. We’ve got to prepare the players to get over the first hurdle”. He also spoke about Kun Agüero saying “he’s an Atletico de Madrid player. The president, the board and the director of football have told me that there has been no offer for him. In my long career as a manager I’ve been lucky to work with Negredo, Etoo, Kanouté, Fernando Torres, Guiza… I’d like to have the chance to add him to the list of players who I’ve worked with. I’d be proud and happy to have him with us”.
The new manager of the ‘rojiblanco’ club is looking to excel in the league as well as the Spanish Cup and Europa league. “It’s not just about the league, we’re also focus on the other two competition will be competing in. When you start a new job you’re always looking to raise the bar, and that’s what we’ll be trying to do. We don’t want to put limitations on what we’re trying to do, everything is possible. Obviously it won’t be easy. We believe in our chances and in our jobs', said Manzano.
The preseason will start in a few days for the ‘rojiblanco’ side. Manzano has already started work and stated “I’m not thinking about the word failure. Today’s society is overcome by negative thoughts. Atlético has got life and hope. The squad is young and ambitious. The club will provide me with the necessary means to achieve success. I want to build a team with the intention of being successful. I’m sure I can form a competitive and balanced team. We’re going to bring some good afternoons to our stadium. The back room team is going to give their life to the team”. The ‘rojiblanco’ gaffer doesn’t believe his first spell with the club was a failure, he explained that “from a professional point of view it wasn’t a failure. The team improved its league position on the previous year from 12th to 7th position. I’ve been managing professionally for 12 consecutive years. Nobody in Atlético is incapable, we’re all qualified to be here”
Manzano also spoke about the part the academy will play in the first team, stating “Atlético de Madrid has always had an important academy, in the current squad we’ve got important players who’ve come through the youth system. The project we have is to work with young players who are quality and competitive. The club also has the financial strength to go out and buy players to compliment what we have. The mix of youth and experience will be the future of Atléitco de Madrid. Gabi, who made his debut and Mario Suarez, who had to go in order to grow, we hope they’ll be what the current academy kids look up to”.
'I’d tell to the fans to have faith in me and my technical team, I’m not going to mislead them. We’ll speak at the end of the season, I’ve got results wherever I’ve been. They’ll see a strong and wholehearted Atlético de Madrid. I’ll try to bring them good football. It’s the start of a new team with new hope and enthusiasm. With players who want to get to the top of the football world. Atlético de Madrd is historically a big club, but currently it’s an attractive club, have faith in me and my team”, he assured.
When asked about possible signings, Manzano replied “the base is already there. Speaking in percentages, we’d say that we’re 80-90% there. We’re subject to people coming and going, just like any club. We’ll have to bring in a few players in the areas which need strengthening the most. But the most important thing is that we’ve already got a strong base. With regards to our planning for pre season, we’ve got to play on the 28th of July and the 4th of August so we’re already working towards those dates. We’ve got to prepare the players to get over the first hurdle”. He also spoke about Kun Agüero saying “he’s an Atletico de Madrid player. The president, the board and the director of football have told me that there has been no offer for him. In my long career as a manager I’ve been lucky to work with Negredo, Etoo, Kanouté, Fernando Torres, Guiza… I’d like to have the chance to add him to the list of players who I’ve worked with. I’d be proud and happy to have him with us”.
