Official: Depor appoint Garitano

Deportivo La Coruna have appointed former Eibar boss Gaizka Garitano as their new Coach on a one-year contract.

Garitano will be assisted by Patxi Ferreira and Jose Luis Ribera, both of whom previously formed part of the coaching staff at Depor between 2007 and 2011, and replaces the sacked Victor Sanchez.

“I must thank Deportivo for this opportunity. The truth is that I’m very happy, very excited and very grateful to be in this city and at a great club like Deportivo. I hope this is the beginning of a good spell and success at the club,” he said at his official unveiling on Friday.

“I have to prove myself [on being given only a one-year deal], but hopefully I can be here for a long time. I’m not fussed that I’ve been given a one-year contract. I see it as logical. We all have to prove our worth every day, and for me that’s a positive, a challenge.

“I don’t believe much in long-term goals, but I know that staying in La Liga is fundamental to this club, so we can’t give up anything. I’d like our most important players to stay.

“I like intensity and high pressing, quick transitions and hard work from set-pieces, but ultimately we all want to play like Barcelona.

“Playing well is the best way to win games, but it’s not always possible. Above all, we’ll be a brave team, who won’t be afraid and play good football.”

Garitano played for Athletic Bilbao, Lleida, Ourense, Real Sociedad, Alaves and Eibar as a defender-midfielder, before entering management with the latter.

He took Los Armeros to a historic Primera promotion in 2014 and ultimately kept them afloat by the virtue of Elche’s demotion for financial irregularities but left the club as he felt he did not deserve to stay in his role.

The 40-year-old then moved to Real Valladolid last summer in his most recent employment but only lasted until October, with the side rock-bottom of La Segunda.

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