Rayo Vallecano manager, Paco Jemez has received throughout Spain for guiding the team with the league’s lowest budget from relegation candidates to European contenders.

paco-jemez-600x250In an interview with Spanish sports daily, Marca, Jemez explained that even he, an eternal optimist, could never have imagined that after selling their biggest goal-scoring threat last summer that Rayo would be challenging Malaga for a European place.

“I’m an optimist, but you don’t set out thinking you’re going to record the club’s best ever first half of the season, with 31 points, and be competing with Málaga. We still have the second half of the season to go, which is going to be much tougher than the first.

“From the outset, it was clear to us that if we weren’t bold, daring and adventurous, we wouldn’t be able to compete. If you’re a small team and you go out there with an inferiority complex, you’re done for.”

Jemez was criticized early on for playing a three-man defense, but is confident in his style and the ability of his squad.

“Playing badly and winning with a last-minute penalty isn’t good enough for me. I want my team to play good football, feel comfortable and take on all comers for the ball. So you get thrashed sometimes – that comes with the territory.”

Jemez concluded by stating his belief that the “sting has gone out of La Liga due to Barca’s enormous gap,” and that “Real Madrid will continue dropping points as they save their best” for the Copa del Rey and Champions League.

Other related news