LOPETEGUI: "NOW, THE MOST DIFFICULT THING WOULD BE TO LEAVE SEVILLA"

From the outset, Julen spoke about the change in his role within football to a manager, which started at Rayo Vallecano: "Being a professional footballer gives you the happiest moments of your life because your only responsibility is to play football. It's more individual. You also have responsibilities and even more so nowadays, but the job as a manager is a totally different occupation. When you finally hand the boots up, because I started training my teammates, you start to realise that it's something completely different".

Now focused on the job at hand in Sevilla, he spoke about how well he adapted to the club and the city: "I am so happy on every level. I'm motivated and take responsibility for the objectives that we have set, because I know all the hard work that goes on behind the scenes to make it a reality. We're looking forward to having a great season; and we have a simple day to day job to do at the club, which is huge but doable. It is said to be done quick but that doesn't mean it is easy. What is certain is that the organisation behind the scenes is top class. We're all very happy about the day to day stuff and this is also important for the families. My wife and daughter are in love. They tell me that the hardest thing to do will be to leave Seville".

"My wife and my daughter tell me that the hardest thing to do will be to leave Seville"

He went on to speak about his reasons for taking on this challenge: "Coming here was very appealing to me because the word 'project' is used a lot nowadays, but it very rarely happens because that's the world of football in which we live. However, Monchi had an idea. He knew what he wanted and from then on, he sold it to me and I told him what I wanted to do. Therefore, we agreed on objectives and on what we wanted to do, and we started down this journey together. In addition, I have always started each job I've had with all my focus and ambition. But when you come to Sevilla, you get goosebumps. This means that you live and experience everything at 100%, and this is what we're going to do".

It was something that was already known, but Lopetegui wished to speak about the fans again: "They're fundamental and decisive. In very tight matches where it is difficult for us, it's no coincidence that they help us. It's this positive atmosphere from them that helps you through the tough times, and helps you win games. In moments where we are struggling on the pitch, their energy gives you an extra boost of energy, whilst also negatively effecting the opponent. I'm convinced and I know how generous the Sevilla fanbase is. But let them be aware that they have this responsibility and effect on us".

"Coming here was very appealing to me"

As regards to the question on everyone's lips at the moment, Lopetegui gave his assessment on the first half of the league season: "I don't like doing the math and those that have to endure me in my press conferences know it. What I say to the players is that we're doing well at the minute, but that we always have to improve. The past doesn't mean anything in football. You can evaluate all you want at the end of the season, but at the moment the only thing I can tell you is that the team is working hard, is accepting what we're trying to do, wants to do its best and has a lot of passion. They have this hunger, but you can't stop to look at what you have done in football - it would be a mistake on our part to do so. We have to continue to improve because the opponents become more and more familiar with you".

Lopetegui was very clear when he was asked a very personalised question about his job here: "My challenge here is to make good shockwaves. I want to have a good season and try to get the team the recognition it deserves. In order to achieve this, you have to have an identity, develop players and try to overcome the bad times. In addition, he spoke about Dabbur's exit: "Before the Mallorca game, Munas made it clear that he wished to leave and that there was an offer on the table for him. This was in the moment in which there we upcoming chances for him to get into the team. We wish him all the luck in the world because he's a good person, and a good footballer". In addition, the topic of the transfer market was spoke about: "Monchi knows my feelings and viceversa. I'm not going to be speaking publicly; I respect what the club is doing and the club knows what it has to do".

"Before the Mallorca game, Munas made it clear that he wished to leave"

Additionally, he spoke about the new-look Copa del Rey: "I like it, but I think that there should be a set of minimum requirements. Playing a one-off game seems perfect to me. It gives you that feeling of a cup match, but we would have to be more strict with the playing conditions, dimensions and qualities of the teams. If not everyone fits the requirements, then not everyone fits. If you give Nadal a padel raquet, he'll play padel, not tennis. You have to take good care of this, but I like the format a lot". He also spoke about how important motivation is going to be on Sunday: "We have respect, not fear. Football is good at reducing the standards between the teams. It wasn't a coincidence that Málaga lost there 2-0, without having a shot on target. You have to prepare yourself for this scenario because either you win, or you go home. It's a format which has caused upsets and there will be more. You have to be excited to compete in this scenario, which although it won't be the best, it is what it is".

After the more personal part of the interview, he said that it's not easy to combine his professional life with his personal life: "When you leave the house in the morning, you put your suit on. You are the coach and this is the person you have to be and it's the one you like. However, this doesn't mean that you stop being a person, but it's normal. I'm like that. It's true that my friends tell me that I look very sick. Perhaps, it's a mask which you put on because the journalist has one goal, whereas I have another. I try to portray the image that I believe is going to help me the most. Sometimes you want to say things, but I appreciate that this can give or take away from the team. It's a very thin line and perhaps I don't have the skill to mix the two".

"Perhaps, in press conferences, you put on a mask, because the journalist has one goal and you have another"

To finish off, he spoke about the academy: "For me, the academy is so important and here, even more so where there has always been a lot of talent breaking through the system. It's also true that it has its moments and us, at the moment, we have players that came through the academy and are sure to be more prominent in the near future. In the next two or three years, there are going to be a couple of very talented players coming through. They are still to mature, as they are 16 and 17 year old players in the youth teams, and they need that experience. I don't think that the academy are going to stop producing good players".