Ambition, Philosophy and Valverde's Legacy

Raúl García Reveals the Keys to Athletic: Ambition, Philosophy and Valverde's Legacy

The 'León' Navarrese Breaks His Silence in 'El Camino de Mario' Analyzing His Stage in Bilbao and the Future of the Club.

Spanish football stops to listen to the voice of one of its most charismatic protagonists. Raúl García, after hanging up his boots at the end of the 2023-24 season with the Copa del Rey in his pocket and an impressive record of 363 matches As a 'lion' in nine campaigns, he has offered a sincere and profound vision of his time at Athletic Club. In an intimate talk within the 'El Camino de Mario' space, hosted by his friend and former teammate Mario Suárez, the Navarrese player brought to the table crucial aspects of the Bilbao entity that often go unnoticed.

One of the points that García highlights most is the duality of the acclaimed Athletic philosophy. Although it recognizes its intrinsic value, it also points out a nuance that can work against it: the lack of a clear perception of the real demand. “Athletic's philosophy is not given value, but it also has a negative point in that you do not see the real demand,” he confesses. Compare this situation with his time at Atlético de Madrid, where the constant arrival of new talents forced fierce competition every summer. “When I was in Madrid, new people arrived every summer and I knew I had to push. Here the changes are from people who come from below and two or three players,” he explains, suggesting that the internal dynamic could benefit from greater external competition.

With 20 seasons behind him in the highest category of Spanish football, adding his stages in Osasuna and Atlético de Madrid, Raúl García makes an assessment of his years in Bilbao that invites reflection. He acknowledges that in the first years he performed at a good level, with the aim of reaching European positions. However, he insists that there was a crucial moment where the club should have shown a greater ambition. “There was a time when the club should have been a little more ambitious,” he states forcefully.

The Navarrese regrets the departures of important players such as Kepa Arrizabalaga and Aymeric Laporte, arguing that Athletic should have taken advantage of these circumstances to strengthen the squad and take a leap in quality. “Football does not forgive, there were departures of important players, Kepa, Laporte… I should have been a little more ambitious to try to improve the team,” he underlines.

Mario Suárez, knowing the limitations of the market for Athletic, questions him: “But the market is very small.” To which Raúl García responds firmly: “But whatever you have, you have to try to improve. It's the but of the philosophy, the message has to be ambitious. Then we had a team again and won the Cup,” he concludes, recognizing that, despite everything, the team knew how to find itself again and culminate with an important title.

The imminent departure of Ernesto Valverde of the Bilbao entity at the end of this season is also a hot topic. García, who has deep respect for the Extremadura coach, considers that his departure is due to a dynamic of modern football. “In football it seems that it is tiring to see a face for a long time,” he comments. He does not hesitate to praise the figure of Valverde, highlighting his ability to have done exceptionally well at the helm of Athletic. “It is difficult for there to be a coach who does it better than him,” he says.

Furthermore, he highlights the human quality of 'Txingurri': “And above all, he is a person who has humility and a way of being that helps. The club has it as something of its own.” This deep connection between coach and club is, according to García, a differentiating factor that will be difficult to replicate.

Looking to the future, the name of Andoni Iraola and Inigo Perez They sound strong to relieve Valverde. Raúl García is optimistic about these possibilities, seeing in both coaches a reflection of Valverde's style. “They are Ernesto's profile, they have many things about him. I like them, they are brave,” he declares, predicting a promising future if one of them takes the reins of the bench.

The former player also shares an endearing anecdote about his arrival at Athletic in the 2015-16 season. Despite joining the team mid-season, the reception from the locker room was warm and surprising. “The team plays on the weekend, I come to Bilbao on Monday to sign the contract. The squad is informed, they put me in the group and I receive a series of videos singing, encouraging me… Here the reception was very simple,” he remembers with a smile.

This experience contrasts with the feeling he had at Atlético de Madrid that same summer. The arrival of new signings and a perception of lower personal value led him to seek new horizons. “In that preseason I warmed up. New people arrived, I didn't feel so valued and the offer from Athletic came that seduced me,” he admits. The closeness to his mother, who was going through an illness, was also a determining factor. “I was also going to be closer to my mother, who had an illness for many years,” he confesses.

The decision to leave Atlético was communicated directly to the board and coaching staff. “It was in the last days of the market. I had a meeting with Miguel Ángel Gil Marín and with Cholo to tell them that I wanted to leave. The fact that they knew who I am helped me make it happen,” he concludes, demonstrating the transparency and relationship of trust that he maintained in the red-and-white club.

Raúl García's reflection opens a necessary debate on the ambition and the management in elite football, especially in clubs with identities as marked as Athletic. His experience and vision offer a valuable perspective to understand the challenges and opportunities presented in the ever-changing world of the beautiful game.

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