Santi Cazorla has given his first interview since retiring from football, it's refreshingly honest, insightful and full of love for @RealOviedo as you would expect.
I will share some of the best quotes from the interview
On retirement
"Many people have been surprised by my retirement. It’s true that I still had the love and desire to keep playing; I think I could have been important, especially after the relegation to the Second Division. I think staying at the club in the First Division would have been a bit too much for me."
On speaking with Julian Calero about retirement or carry on playing
"The manager’s opinion was crucial for me because he’s the one who’s going to be leading the team. I’ve had a short but intense and healthy relationship with him. We spoke a few days ago, and he told me what he thinks, which helped me make my decision."
On his future
“I see myself on the pitch because, ultimately, my life is down here. I'm going to get training and explore other areas to find out what I truly enjoy. But right now, I'd say I'd like to be part of the staff, working with the players and feeling the adrenaline rush of being close to the field. I think I'm going to go in that direction, but I'll explore all the possibilities.”
On if he regretted coming back to Real Oviedo
"On the contrary, I should have come back sooner. It was the best decision I’ve ever made."
The best moments of his career
“The promotion with Oviedo is number one of everything I've experienced, and I would also include the first European Championship in 2008 and my debut with Villarreal in the First Division.”
On how he would improve Real Oviedo
"I would tell Pachuca to listen to the fans. They never let us down; we have over 26,000 season ticket holders despite the relegation. We have to keep them happy by bringing in players who give their all for the club."
Mark it down. This is going to be a long season of more of the same for Raphinha unless he breaks the sequence of injury/rushing back/injury/rushing back. Every time they claim he's fixed. A less-severe Dembele situation.
Lumumba can't be at England vs DR Congo as denied a US visa. What an utterly joyless place Trump's USA is. A country applying such restrictions should never again retain the right to host the tournament. #ENGDRC
Difficult game with lack of fluidity, lots of stops, duels...
But it is a bit worrying that Mikel Merino, Rodri, Lamine (and Nico Williams) are not at their sharpest.
That explains too why the team is slow reacting to everything. And why some players are on the pitch for longer that they should (to get fitter)
Hopefully there is enough time to get sharper as the tournament goes on
At a certain point, you are the boss. As someone who had to fire an agent during a negotiation and take significantly less money to stay with a team I wanted to stay with, I can speak on this. It happens. You take back the steering wheel because you have to live with the outcome.
Even if Sonny aged really quickly, this is the most high-end talent Korea has had in years. It’s crazy how disengaged everyone short of Lee Kang-In looked.
Should not be coaching Korea again even if they somehow advance to the knockout round. Unacceptable tactics, lineup, energy and performance. No urgency.