Interviews
Q&A WITH COLOTTO
28 Jun 2012
Diego Colotto gave an interview to newspaper La Voz de Galicia; the Argentine centre back talked of the reasons why he changed Deportivo for Espanyol, and also resumed his stage in La Coruña after four years there.
Q: How are you now?
A: I'm fine. There are decisions to be taken and I'm happy with the ones I´ve taken. I face a new project and do it with enthusiasm.
Q: It couldn’t be otherwise.
A: Of course the goal is to excite Espanyol. I don’t have a problem with that. The stage at Deportivo was very nice, with its joys and sorrows. Now it’s time to change the cycle. I tried to reach an agreement and wasn’t possible; also for economic reasons. For the same reason other colleagues have gone before and I won’t be the last. That is football. Everyone has their point of view, but in any deal there are always two parties involved. This always involves two parties. Each side has a different position. My relationship with the club is good.
Q: But you didn’t renew.
A: Some will agree and others don’t. For my part, I don’t think there's anything to reproach myself. I've given everything.
Q: But do you feel accused? Apparently, your relationship with the fans is excellent.
A: I remember when I arrived. There was a change in my situation comparing the last three years with the first. Every time I was playing more and I started feeling more and more important. I guess it influenced the fact that some left after the relegation to Segunda Division, while others decided to stay and the fans appreciated that.
Q: What about the club? You hinted that the club could no longer afford your salary.
A: What I said is that the club has its financial limits and everybody knows it. The president himself has said that the club has its limits.
Q: And, meanwhile, Espanyol waiting for you.
A: Not exactly. I waited for Deportivo, although there were more teams that submitted bids. But there’s a time to decide. And then Pochettino talked with me. Espanyol is playing well, it tries to be the protagonist, and he asked me to contribute with my experience.
Q: Do you see Deportivo and Espanyol as direct rivals?
A: The coaching staff will mark the targets for the season. In Spanish football, apart from five teams, the others are very equal. And the relegation is fought by ten sides.
Q: Speaking of relegation, how do you remember the last two years?
A: The joy of the promotion compensated the sadness of the relegation. Some players stayed for this. If we put the team down, we had to put it back where it belongs. We have demonstrated that we were committed. I hope that Deportivo could consolidate itself at Primera Division.