Aday Benítez: “The celebration was like getting promoted to the First Division. Europa is a great team.”

Aday Benítez (Sentmenat, 1987) answers a call from the sporting director at the Nou Sardenya. The Europa League manager, who helped secure promotion to the First Division RFEF (Regional Football League) with a grand celebration at the Gràcia stadium, has met with Josep Maria Gené to discuss his contract renewal, which is apparently on track. Before doing so, he reviews his first full year as head coach for La Vanguardia and analyzes the current situation at Girona , "the club of his life," where he played for seven years.

“Stuani is the best striker in terms of goals after Lewandowski and Mbappé”

Have you been surprised by the deep-rooted sentiment in a neighborhood team?

Absolutely. It's a local neighborhood, but it's always had a large following. The party was like a promotion to the First Division, with 4,000 people lining the street in Gràcia. It was special, like the promotion in Girona.

What do you value as a coach?

Soccer is fun. I told the players that the most important thing, besides competing and being responsible for the team, is having fun so the team can thrive. And we had a great time, and so did the fans.

Is this football more authentic than elite football?

It's real football, the kind you've always dreamed of, where any ball can be turned into a chance. It's an attractive kind of football that people who only watch professional football don't understand. People come here to experience football, not just watch it. Thousands of people come to sing, jump, or drink at the bar, because the bar is right at the corner. Here, you take a corner from the bar. I love it.

Do you live in Gràcia?

No, I have a house in Sentmenat and Girona, and I'm combining them, but if I continue, I might come back.

He has not yet renewed his contract with Europa and his contract expires in June.

Europa has already told me they're happy, and I'm excited. But we need to talk things over, not just the contract. The club is turning professional, and I want to see where we are. In football, you have to progress. I don't want to enter a season where everything isn't clear. The club is involved in many struggles.

Among them, artificial turf is banned in the First RFEF. What do you think about the rule?

If I think as a player, I'd always want to play on natural grass. And as a coach, too. I'd like everyone to be able to enjoy that. But even in the Champions League , there are teams from the north that play on artificial turf because it freezes and is even better than some natural grass fields in the First RFEF.

"European football is real football. People who only watch professional football don't understand it. Here, football is lived, not just watched. Here, you can take a corner from the bar."

The club's position is to stay at the Nou Sardenya.

I'm going hand in hand with the club and I want it to be the best for everyone. The club is also right. Instead of having a bad natural grass field, we have a good artificial turf field. Maybe this field can be improved and we can play here. It's a field that has given us a lot, and I understand the fans; it's our home, and it's hard to leave. But I also think the club has to progress.

What have you learned here?

A lot. I'm an apprentice, just starting out. I've learned how to face the team. I did that as captain in Girona, but it's a different approach. Now I have to convince through intimidation and seduction. And then not let yourself down and manage my emotions.

He is also keeping an eye on Girona, who are fighting for survival.

I don't see Girona winning difficult matches. They have to win the ones they have to win. I hope they win in Valladolid. And if they don't win, they might still be saved.

"I'm working hand in hand with the club on the turf issue and I hope it's the best thing for everyone, but I also believe the club needs to make progress."

He has experienced promotion with Girona, but also relegation.

I've always said the same thing, even though it may seem untrue, but if I hadn't been injured, and Mojica hadn't been injured, I don't think we would have been relegated in 2019. We both went down in the same week. The system was 3-5-2, very defined, and if you lose the wings, the system is left orphaned. Whether you have a better or worse year, you understand the wing-back position, which isn't like a full-back. We also lacked grit.

That drive is now being provided by two of his former teammates, Portu and Stuani.

Míchel has a deeply rooted style, his own way of playing, but Portu and Stuani are perfect for how you'll play in the final weeks. Against Mallorca, Gazzaniga plays long passes to Stuani, who keeps the ball and, if he doesn't get fouled... And you're already in the opponent's half without losing your essence. Stuani is also the best striker in terms of goalscoring after Lewandowski and Mbappé.

What has changed from last season's greatness to what we're struggling with now?

The players. Last year, they made signings that worked out perfectly. They're stars now, but they weren't anyone. Quique Cárcel had incredible merit, and I have tremendous respect for him. What he's done overall, even if they go down, I can't lose my respect for him. If there's one thing I can criticize him for, it's that perhaps it was the right time to spend 25 million on a striker, which is a lot of money, but you signed Asprilla for almost 20 million.

"The change from one year to the next at Girona is the players. I don't see the team winning difficult matches, but they have to win the ones they have to win to survive."

Míchel won't be on the bench today due to a health issue. How have you seen him this year?

He and Quique Cárcel are untouchable. Quique is the one I value most in football, and Míchel, the one I admire the most. But everyone has a responsibility, the players first. What Míchel has achieved may not be achieved by anyone at Girona. Perhaps Míchel has lost a bit of strength this year; it's been four seasons. I've seen him more serious. He also used to communicate in one language, and now he must do so in English as well. Be careful, because energy doesn't last forever. But then summer comes with the signings, and the energy is renewed.

"I've always said the same thing, even though it may seem untrue, but if I hadn't been injured and Mojica hadn't been injured, I don't think Girona would have been relegated in 2019."

Do you think there should be many changes in the summer?

I think a couple of new signings would be good, not just star players, but people who can move the dressing room, so the manager doesn't have to come in and cheer. It's about spreading joy.

Is your dream to manage Girona?

I want to make it clear that I'm not thinking about it right now; I'm not ready. But yes, I would like to be in Girona, of course. I love living there.

"Míchel and Quique Cárcel are untouchable. Quique is the one I value most in football, and Míchel is the one I admire the most."

You're currently earning your UEFA Pro Coaching License. What's your goal as a coach?

Get as high as possible, to the First Division .

And the objective in Europe?

When I renew, I'll make a decision, I don't know for now. I imagine staying in the league, but if there are no changes, you'll eventually go down. I'd like a three-year project, but with the goal of moving up. This is a historic club; Europa is a tremendous brand.