Following his first training session at the head of the first-team squad, the new Real Oviedo Head Coach José Ángel Ziganda was presented in the Press Room at the Carlos Tartiere. He was joined by Manolo Paredes and Francesc Arnau. The Club's Vice President, Paredes, began by welcoming him, expressing his hope that "with hard work and effort, and our backing, he gets us out of the situation we are in." Manuel Paredes also expressed words of gratitude towards Javier Rozada.
The Director of Football, Arnau, explained the decision to remove Rozada from his post, stating that "the team has been moving in a positive direction since I arrived, but it still hasn't gone as we'd hoped. The league position hurts us and we are looking for a reaction. We considered a change after the Alcorcón match, where we got a poor result. We thought about it together and were in agreement about our decision." Discussing
the choice of José Ángel Ziganda, Arnau commented that "we got in contact with 'Cuco', as he is an experienced coach who can get us out of this. We hope that he finds the key to us achieving survival."
Once Paredes and Arnau had finished giving their thoughts, José Ángel Ziganda analysed his arrival at the Carlos Tartiere, stating that "I saw no reason not to accept it. I am a coach and I love football. I was hungry to coach. What better place is there than Oviedo to do so? We all know the class of this club and this city. I didn't think about it for long at all. The lure attracted me. It's interesting to be in a place where they want you, and it's a good way to start. And then the club is what it is; it's a high-quality environment. We have a demanding fanbase and if we give them good results then we will enjoy it."
With respect to the situation the team finds itself in, the Head Coach said that "we all know where we are. In these fourteen matches the table is the key thing, you can't change that. I know almost everything; I've seen almost all the matches. I know the players and now it's my turn to work with them and get to know them in detail."
Asked about his first contact with the squad, the new Coach highlighted that "it was good. You can see they are worried, which is a good thing, but I don't think Sunday's match is a 'cup final'. We must be aware of where we are and look for solutions to achieve continued improvement. They have a lot of willingness and a good attitude. Results haven't gone as they've wanted, but we are going to look for an improvement. If they've called e in it's because something has been missing. It's a turning point to make us stronger and better." In addition, Ziganda said that "the good thing I can sense in the squad is that they all have a common objective, and so need to push in the same direction. We have to focus on being together both on and off the pitch. That impulse is going to be much more powerful. Our objective is to change their mindsets and get them to see another reality.There's a long way to go. Tactically and positionally, we will aim the improvement on us being more solid and compact."
Regarding what Ziganda's Real Oviedo will look like, the Coach believes that "you have to try to adapt to what you arrive at, but I would like us to be an organised, compact side. I want the opponent to have to do a lot to overcome us. Fourteen matches is a lot, but we have to go flying into them. You go over it in your head a lot, and there are a lot of possibilities. We have to see how the team is doing and our strengths. What's going on in your head is important, and we are arriving hungry and fresh. I have not had any recent defeats, and I am arriving with of the aim of getting three points in each of the last fourteen matches. I would like everyone to see it like that. Coaches always ask for time to look to leave their mark. Now we have to work, make the most of the time, and nothave any excuses. We are looking for reasons that we are going to win on Sunday in Lugo."
Finally, ahead of the match at the Anxo Carro, with a large number of Oviedistas travelling to cheer their side on, Ziganda commented that "it's nice to see. A big club like Real Oviedo pushes. There is disappointment, but we are going to Lugo and there are more than 1,000 fans travelling. Not many clubs in Spain have such luck."
