Jémez: "The time for managers failing is finished, the players are in danger now too"
Paco Jémez officially started his tenure at Las Palmas and spoke about the players being under pressure, arrivals, departures and Jonathan Viera's role in the team.
Paco Jémez showed up for his first official press conference and presentation as the manager of Las Palmas on Wednesday as direct and sincere as always. "It is an honour to return here," he said. The former Rayo Vallecano, Granada and Cruz Azul manager says he was enticed by the challenge the Las Palmas job presents. "I like challenges, especially the ones everyone tells me are impossible. These help me to improve and grow," he continued. The 47-year-old is delighted to return to the "best league in the world" and says his motivation is more personal than sporting.
The Las Palmas-born manager says it is important for him to "speak with all of the players," and he will stay with them until the 31st of December where he will get the chance to know them all. "It will be good for us to be together. We will train tomorrow and later get to know each other better," he said. Asked about the possibiliy of players leaving, Jémez said, "this is the part I like least about my job. But the time for just the trainers to fall is finished. It's good that only we pay the price. The players need to know that, if things aren't being done well, their jobs are in danger too," he said.
Arrivals and departures at Las Palmas
The first signing of Jémez' reign will be Gabriel Peñalba, who the club officially announced on Wednesday morning. "He has the ability to play in any league in the world, he is a fine footballer," said Jémez who also thanked the club for making it happen.
Jémez ruled out the signed of Sergio Araujo. "With his profile, I don't think he is a player that has to come here. I don't think we need him." The 25-year-old is currently on loan at AEK Athens are legal issues while at Las Palmas.
Jonathan Viera was one player singled out for praise by Jémez, who says, "It's a luxury to have him here. I would say there isn't a manager in the Primera that would say he doesn't want him in his squad. He has the abaility to tramsit passion into our play, and we have to make sure we turn make his talent benefit the team. He still hasn't given us his best version."
The new manager is also keen to send a message that something is changing at the club. "We all have to row in the same direction. I want the fans to go to training sessions," he finished.
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