Rubi: 'We must try to return to Primera this season'

Joan Francesc Ferrer Sicilia 'Rubi' has been officially presented as new UD Almería head for the next three seasons. This will be his second stage at the Club. For this reason, Club's Managing Director Mohamed El Assy welcomed him and highlighted: 'We were optimistic about his return and I'm happy that this was the case. He comes back to his home with his family.' The gaffer showed himself very ambitious, enthusiastic and emphatic in all their statements. He is very clear about what the objectives are, both those of UD Almería and his reception because he comes not only to help the Rojiblancos move up but to create a solid team. 

Before answering questions from the media, the Vilassar de Mar native emphasised: 'I want to thank the owner, Mohamed El Assy, the Club, the employees, the fans, the media... because we've had a welcoming that many days has given me goosebumps. We've always been really excited, but now even more than the previous time for different reasons. The feeling of responsibility has increased with the reception that you all have given us and we're very eager to do a good job again.' 

When talking about his previous stage at UD Almería, Rubi explained: 'It was super successful and the Club has always recognised it. It was a promotion as league champions, we stayed up the following season with 41 points fighting against Valencia CF, Celta de Vigo, Sevilla FC...' and when asked why he left, the gaffer responded: 'When a head coach has been in his place for a long time there's a part that becomes stale, it's normal. I believe that decision was convenient for both parties. I would've liked to return, but not in the second tier, although the transfer window has helped me decide. I didn't want to make UD Almería wait, who had spoken to me very clear.'

Rubi knows that the main objective is to move up. 'I've re-signed for three seasons, but I don't want wait for the third year to move up. We must try to return to Primera this season that we're going to start, although it won't be easy at all.' The head coach reflected on this matter: 'My dream is to go from here to a team already established at the top of LaLiga. At the moment I'm going to try to do it with UD Almería. My idea is to come for longer and build something solid.'

On the other hand, the man at the helm of the Indálicos side pointed out: 'We have very good footballers, I have no doubt, but in some positions there's overbooking and also, of course, you have to reduce a little wage bill, also bring in money to cover the costs. What matters is that the people who are going to remain in the squad are going to perform at a high level.'

The Catalan, who also spoke about new recruits highlighting latest signing Nico Melamed, has been working for UD Almería fir some time. In fact, he indicated: 'I've given a call to all the players before coming. Yesterday, we already had the first group talk and we agreed to forget about the past. It's not worth hearing that we scored 21 points, but we played very well. I've tried to convey to them that we will play well. We're going to try our very best but we haven't done it this past year. I told them that we're going to redeem ourselves attempting to earn promotion as soon as possible. We have a very big challenge and I don't want to talk again in the dressing room about the past. I'm fully committing myself to the team. Now it's time to talk about the present and the future,' the Rojiblancos' head coach concluded.