Back
Rufete takes charge of Professional Football
He considers that Espanyol has to be based on a quarry project and that the players "defend our shield every day, not only in the matches"
Francisco Joaquín Pérez Rufete was presented this morning as the new Professional Football Director of Espanyol in an event that took place at the team's hotel in the Vall d'en Bas. The former blue and white player has been accompanied by Óscar Perarnau, General Sports Director of the entity who has confirmed his interest for months to finalize his signing "because he was our number one candidate".
Rufete has said that he has seen that "Espanyol is creating a project" and has confessed that he has already met Chen Yansheng and that "he knew that I had worked at Valencia and had played a UEFA final with Espanyol. He also asked me about the vision I have of the club and I told him that I believe in the daily work. "
In the same way he said that he knew Rubi "when I played for Espanyol and Rubi was coaching the second team" and that "he is a manager with a lot of experience despite his youth. He is at an important moment in his career and will bring many things to the club".
The new professional football director insists that "we must consolidate small steps at the beginning and then bigger to determine the identity of the club. We must also build on an important Academy project, national and international. If I have to highlight something, it is to take care of our staff. They have to feel that Espanyol is an important club, but we also have to be at a national level".
He considers that "the club is solid and knows what counts. We never have to forget that we have to generate enthusiasm for our fans. That's what our people should know". And he said that "I want the player to feel every day that he is in the best club he can be. To give those little steps we need a strong club and that the player wants to defend this shield every day, not only in games. We can’t be in a club where there are half measures. Whoever wants to be, has to feel the club".
Finally, regarding his previous stage as a player, he notes that "I have noticed a change in the way I see that the club has gained in stability and in having a growth platform in front of it".