Real Oviedo manager Julián Calero clarified on Thursday how his final talk with Santi Cazorla went before the former international announced his retirement from football. At a press conference ahead of Saturday’s friendly against Deportivo de La Coruña at Carlos Tartiere, Calero detailed a one-hour conversation in which he laid out different options for Cazorla to stay linked to the club.
What did Calero say about Cazorla’s exit?
«I spoke with him for an hour. I gave him the option to stay as a player and also offered him a place on the technical staff», explained the blue-collar boss. «I simply laid all the cards on the table. He discussed it with his family and made a decision that was entirely his own. I didn’t push him either way», Calero added. The manager is confident the relationship with Cazorla will remain close, since his son Enzo remains at the club.
How is Calero handling pre-season?
The Madrid-born coach expressed satisfaction with the first two weeks of preparation, though he acknowledged the workload facing the squad. «We’re carrying a very heavy load to drill in many things and get the team to grasp what we want,» he said. His aim is to build an Oviedo side «competitive and intense,» capable of dominating games with the ball while remaining defensively solid. «I want the fans to enjoy watching us compete and see a winning team again,» he stated.
Calero noted that the arrival of several new signings is helping implement his plan. «They arrive with clear heads and fresh hopes,» he pointed out. Still, he admitted that shaping the group takes time. «We’re missing a profile with goal-scoring experience who isn’t afraid of Tartiere,» the manager said.
What signings is Real Oviedo targeting?
On transfers, Calero confirmed the club is still working to complete the squad. «We’re missing a profile with goal-scoring experience,» he repeated. When asked about Carlos Fernández, he acknowledged the Asturian forward «has goals and I’ve always liked him.» «I don’t know if the deal can go through or not; there are other names too,» he noted. He also praised the arrival of Juan Cruz, describing the player as a versatile defender who can play at full-back, centre-back, or even in a back three. «He gives us richness and experience,» Calero stressed.
What are the expectations for the friendly vs Deportivo?
Calero admitted he would have liked more preparation time before facing a top-flight opponent. «I want my players to start competing now,» he concluded. Saturday’s friendly will be another step in the team’s development as it enters the season hungry to regain its place among LaLiga’s front-runners.
