‘We didn’t expect Mendi’s exit’

Emiliano Armenteros was surprised at how early Jose Luis Mendilibar was sacked by Osasuna, but admits that Javi Gracia’s optimism is ‘contagious’.

The midfielder and his teammates have been working this international break under Gracia, after the club decided to take action on Mendilibar, following a League opening of three consecutive defeats.

“We did not expect it so soon, but in football there is little patience and Mendi and [trainer] Toni [Ruiz] have now gone,” surmised Amenteros to reporters this week.

“It was tough, but we have not choice but to keep working under the new Coach.

“Javi Gracia is a contagious Coach and he is so eager, I have seen that he has infected us all.

“He has a new way of working and the break has been good to have more days of training. We are working to have more possession of the ball and to have it in a more meaningful way.

“Unless you want the ball, then it is impossible for things to go well. Furthermore, I like having the ball, more so than not having it and running after it.

“Together we will more forward. We have to adapt and believe to the death in this philosophy, because it is what will bring us more points.”

Tags Armenteros Javi Gracia Mendilibar
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