Marcelino: “Athletic is an exciting project for us”

Athletic Club’s new manager, Marcelino García Toral, was officially presented to the media this Tuesday evening in a press conference held at San Mamés’ press room. The new head coach was joined by club president, Aitor Elizegi, and director of sport, Rafa Alkorta.

Fans will not have to wait long to see Marcelino in the San Mamés dugout, as Athletic Club have a LaLiga Santander fixture against FC Barcelona at The Cathedral on Wednesday night (21:00 CET).

“The possibility of coaching a great club like Athletic comes up, and you have to give a quick answer,” Marcelino said about accepting the offer to become the lions’ new head coach. “The idea appealed to us [Marcelino and his coaching staff].

“Any football man knows what Lezama, Athletic Club and this great stadium mean to this league. It’s an exciting project.”

Marcelino also paid his respects to the work done by his predecessor, Gaizka Garitano, adding: “Gaizka deserves a lot of respect. He did a great job and took over the team when they were in a delicate situation.

“I have a clear conscience that I have been respectful towards him. It was all very sudden.

“We had to come and live this beautiful experience.”

When asked about the youth academy and how he expects the team to play, Marcelino replied: “Athletic’s values are clear. When I’ve come here before with other clubs, we’ve always suffered.

“The team is intense, dynamic, quick, agile and ambitious. It’s what this environment demands. There’s a lot of parallels in terms of our thoughts.

“The Athletic academy is very productive and we’re going to give those youngsters a path. I won’t hesitate because I will try to be fair. I know where I am and I know what the philosophy is.”

Marcelino expects a tough encounter when he kicks off his rojiblanco managerial career against Barça at San Mamés on Wednesday night.

“It will be a difficult match,” the boss said. “We have to make it tough for them, close down the space and create chances.

“It’s normal that they’ll have more of the ball, but we have to be brave.”

Club president, Aitor Elizegi took a moment at the beginning of the press conference to give his condolences to the family of the recently deceased Aitor Gandiaga, footballer at Gernika and ex-Basconia player.

Elizegi also thanked Gaizka Garitano for his work: “Two years of work and commitment. On the sporting side he helped us grow. At a human level I don’t have all the words necessary. Eskerrik asko Gaizka!”

The president reiterated his belief that Athletic will continue to grow under Marcelino, saying: “There is a path to grow. Today we have a coach who has chosen Athletic knowing our strengths.”

Director of sport, Rafa Alkorta, echoed those words: “What we’ve asked of him is that he helps to keep growing, we grew under Gaizka.

“Marcelino is ambitious, he is the right person for the job.”