Valdano: "Solari turned down every offer to leave Madrid"

Jorge Valdano chatted to Onda Cero's El Transistor programme and gave an anecdote about Santiago Solari's time as a player at the club .

As.com 12 de November de 2018 - 10:42 CET

Jorge Valdano was one of the guests on Onda Cero's El Transistor programme last night. The Argentinean gave his insights in Real Madrid's 2-4 win in Vigo and offered an anecdote about Santiago Solari's time as a player at the club and trying in vain to sell him when he was Director of Sport.

Solari in Vigo LALO R. VILLASR (DIARIO AS)

Solari getting results

Valdano thinks Solari will stay on as first team coach: "At Real Madrid, what starts out as being provisional using turns out to be long-term and that's important although as a team, they have a lot of improving to do".

Solari, a great sub, during his playing days at Madrid: "When I was Director of Sport, Solari was the only top level substitute the team had; he was highly competitive, I had several chats with him in which I offered him the chance to leave the club".

Solari during his playing days at Real Madrid

Happy staying at Real Madrid

Valdano tried to sell Solari several times: "Every three months, I would meet up with Solari to give him the chance to join another club, for economic reasons - but he always declined. Those chats we had were always very amicable".

Gaining respect as a coach: "Solari has to be able to speak with the autority of a coach - not of a club employee because it's one thing to speak well and another to know what you have to say to not commit yourself".

Lucas Pratto celebrates after scoring in Sunday's Copa Libertadores first leg. Amilcar Orfali (Getty Images)

River with the upper hand

The SuperClásico: "I think River Plate as a team, are more gifted than Boca Juniors. River will be feeling stronger after coming away from La Bombonera with a draw".