CAPARRÓS: "FOR ME IT'S BEEN A SHORT, INTENSE BUT BEAUTIFUL EXPERIENCE"

Joaquín Caparrós had his final pre-match media appearance as Sevilla FC manager this Friday evening in the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán. Ahead of the Deportivo Alavés game, he talked about aims: "The idea is to have a good match and give the fans something because we're indebted to them. We want to get three points but they'll bring a great team who are well organised and with a coach who has got the best out of them. We'll have to have a magnificent match". 

He also spoke about the future and confirmed that he will retire as a manager: "I was very clear from the first conversation with the Chairman. Tomorrow will be special but we will be focused and only centred on the match. For me it's been a short experience but a very intense and beautiful one. I hadn't experienced the anthem from the dugout, only from a seat. Then to compete with a great squad - on a human and sporting level - who with their disposition has managed to get out of this mini-run that left us with the bare minimum Sevilla deserves".

From their, he talked about work next season: "We've talked but that's for another press conference. We've been talking for a long time with the Chairman and the Directors and we're clear. We'll let you know. I don't think Director of Football will be my position because it requires a specific skill-set and I think I can perform better in other roles. I can contribute my experience because there's tremendous talent and we have to optimise it, let it fulfill its potential and get the best. There are kids here who if in five years aren't in the First Team, show someone's not doing their job right".

"Tomorrow will be special but we will be focused and only centred on the match"

Pozo and Lara have been this week's protagonists, but the coach would not confirm if they will be making their debut: "We still have one training session left and we will see if they get the call-up. They are training with us and they've got futures ahead of them, but we have to wait and see".

He also addressed France's World Cup squad-list: "Lenglet's maturity has surprised me and I don't believe this will affect him. He trains at an exceptional level and I'm sure that it won't be long until he receives recognition. With regards to Nzonzi, we are happy for him because recently he has come across sincere. I'm pleased that what we've spoke about has had an affect. He is an asset to the Club and we have to be delighted that he is one of the 23 to be selected".  

He further spoke about how he has managed to win over the team in such a short space of time: "Years of experience have taught me to speak a lot, and I have reminded them that if they are here, it is because they have been chosen. I told them that during the World Cup I will be on a beach somewhere, reminiscing about having trained such players. Everything that they have given to this team has allowed us to achieve the objective".