Espanyol has formalized the dismissal of Vicente Moreno and Joaquín Pérez Rufete, who until now was the Catalan club’s sports director. It must be taken into account that Rufete did not enjoy very good harmony with the grandstand, which blamed him for some decisions that caused the relegation last year and the bad subtractions of this final stretch of the season. «An agreement has been reached with Francisco Joaquín Pérez Rufete for the non-renewal of his responsibility as sports director of the club. The blue and white entity appreciates the work of the former player and former sports director perico throughout these years in which, after a painful relegation, he contributed to the return to the First Division and the consolidation in the category”, explained the club in a statement, while thanking the work of Vicente Moreno.
“The president, Chen Yansheng, and his Board of Directors would like to thank all of them for their efforts in achieving the goals set this season and their commitment to the entity in difficult times,” he adds.
Moreno has said goodbye this morning to the squad and later has offered a speech, in which he has not admitted questions, with which he has explained the reasons that have led to his dismissal. “In recent times the atmosphere has been rarefied but this two-year process has been worth it and I leave with the satisfaction of the objectives achieved,” explained the Valencian, who did not want to argue and was accompanied by members of his coaching staff Dani Pendín and Dani Pastor. «As a coaching staff, before coming to Espanyol we tried to take a picture of what we were going to find and we were aware that it was coming from a dramatic situation such as relegation. That made the situation difficult, but it was well worth it. We have had the opportunity to work in a spectacular club in every way and assuming the objectives that were set. I think we went up in a successful way and then in the second year we have achieved permanence, we believe that with solvency. Salvation has been certified this day but with about eight to go we already had it practically assumed. Getting it so clearly detracts from it, but we prefer it this way,” he added.
«We were very excited about next year because we thought that a leap in quality could be made, but in recent times the atmosphere was rarefied and this is surely the best decision. Everything has a beginning and an end and you have to accept it. I thank the president, Rufete, Mao Ye and José María Durán for the possibility of having worked here. Also to each and every one of the employees who work at Espanyol and especially to the players because the coach’s job is not possible without them. And also to the press. I am not a coach who makes headlines but you have always treated me with respect and I have always tried to have the same with you. Finally, I want to thank the fans. In this time I have felt loved by the amateur on foot that you find in the supermarket or the gas station. This club has a brutal growth margin. ‘Visca l’Espanyol! », He concluded.
2
