Source: marca.com
Pedro Martínez has confirmed his departure from Valencia to take up a position at Real Madrid. In an interview with Marca, the coach revealed details surrounding his transfer.
“We won the championship on Wednesday, June 24. Thursday, the 25th, was a day of celebration, and around noon someone from Real Madrid called me to congratulate me on the success and to express interest in meeting. I told them that I planned to leave early the next day for Barcelona after the season ended, and we arranged to meet on Friday, the 26th, in the afternoon in Barcelona.”
Martínez added that no concrete offers were made at that time, so a few days later during the team’s celebration at the Roig Arena, he urged Valencia to maintain its identity.
“I was still the coach of Valencia Basket, I had a valid contract, and there was nothing that made me think I was definitely going to leave. I don’t consider myself the smartest person in the world, but I think anyone can understand that if I had been determined to leave at that moment, I would never have said something like that.”
The Spanish coach also disclosed the factors that influenced his decision to choose Real Madrid.
“Valencia’s offer for new contract terms was very good, very similar to Real Madrid’s financially, and the only difference was probably that Valencia’s offer was for two years, while the other was for three.
I like to challenge myself in a team with the highest ambitions, and therefore the greatest pressure that I will face as a coach. That is something I have not experienced yet in my career.”
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