Why Antonio Cordón leaves and is no longer sports director of Betis

Antonio Cordón has announced that he is leaving to become sporting director of Real Betis Balompié. The leader himself has explained in the club’s official media the reasons for his departure from the Verdiblanca entity.

He The club announced on Monday, February 20 that his departure was effective from now on. “Real Betis Balompié would like to thank Antonio Cordón profusely for the work he has done and the successes achieved and wish him every success in the future,” the club said in its official statement. and Cordón has said goodbye to the club by letter:

“As you already know, a few weeks ago I informed the Club that I would end this cycle, unforgettable for me, according to professional criteria, without knowing what I will do in the future.

What I do know is what they told me, that the Thirteen Verdiblancas stripes are synonymous with humility, joy, nobility, passion, tears, sovereignty, infinite feeling, and that their followers are chosen ones. And they fell very, very short. Because it’s much more than that. During this time I have realized that no one and nothing is more important than Real Betis Balompié.

I was able to share the process of the Giant’s awakening, living in Seville, sharing with the people on foot, seeing their looks when I crossed their path, and listening to the comments in the streets. Always with a smile and always with pleasure, telling me that “on Sunday you have to win Don Antonio.” I can only thank everyone I have encountered in these 33 months, because there were always words of encouragement and passion.

I will never forget the celebration of the Copa del Rey, walking with my family among the people, waiting for our players to pass on the bus along Avenida de la Palmera, like another fan, enjoying and laughing, sharing illusions, with those faces of joy and happiness, with whole families of béticos enjoying that day.

For the players, for the entire coaching staff and for “the team of the team”, I have no words… You are the most important and those who have managed to stabilize the club with your work, your commitment and above all , with your values, building that magical wardrobe that has been key in the resurgence. You have taught me through your behavior and actions that it is worth living each day with passion, nurturing respect, never looking down, and always walking with a firm step. I carry you in my heart, and for me you will always be the best. Keep listening every day to the advice of the best Engineer around.

To my colleagues from the sports directorate, basic football, the offices, the outside staff, to everyone who works for the club every day, thank you for being those “free leaders” we talked about in the meetings of the first few months and in the months when I asked you that without your excellence, dedication and affection it would be impossible to have a successful cycle. I appreciate your ability to work, humility, honesty and camaraderie. Thank you for welcoming me as one of you.

And thanks to the members of the board of directors of Real Betis Balompié, and in particular to the President, Ángel Haro, and Vice President, José Miguel López Catalán, for giving me the opportunity to put my humble grain of sand contribute to the successes of this stage. Finally, we would like to thank the professionals of the Sevillian media for the treatment we received during this cycle.

You have treated me with respect and education, and have no doubt that every criticism received has helped me continue to learn. Wherever I am, I will keep huddling together like a cannonball, shouting, suffering and jumping like another! To my dear Giant awake and all his people, all the happiness of the world. I will never forget you. Long live Betis!”

Why Antonio Cordón leaves and is no longer sports director of Betis

“It’s a well-considered decision, agreed with the family. It’s a concern I had and I passed it on to the club at the time. Don’t let anyone search for covers because The decision was not due to a collision with anyone on the board or with the coach or players. Absolutely nobody. You have to give it naturalness, simplicity, humility and discretion. I’ve always been very discreet. I’m sad because yesterday I saw myself in all the papers and I’m not one to look for front pages or notoriety. They are natural things that happen in life. It is understood that the cycle has ended, I handed it over and now we are in talks to see how we proceed,” explains in RTV Betis.

Do you feel you have achieved your goals? “Betis is above everyone. Antonio Cordón at Betis has been almost nobody because of the greatness of this club. It’s way above Cordon. I have come to carry my grain of sand. For some it has been more or less, I am very happy with my work. I promised it would wake the giant. Among all, we have awakened it, with everyone’s help. It has been a very good goal.”

Thanks to the fans: “The Béticos are the main head of this club. The fans are great, they are incredible. I get goosebumps when I talk about the fans because they deserve the best, they deserve a Betis that continues to grow. I have felt their affection through the streets and I will carry that in my heart all my life”.

There is no bad relationship with the club: “Anyone who knows me knows that my relationship with everyone is very good. There have always been affable conversations on all counts, in this plan to wake up the giant, which I think we have all achieved. The most important thing about Betis is his fans, I hope they are very happy with these three years and that they remember me with affection, they treated me very well, I consider them sovereign, incredible. And then undoubtedly the rest, from staff to managers or players” .

Pellegrini’s future is not in danger: “He is a professional like the top of a fir tree, He has more years on his contract and I hope the Béticos enjoy the time they have left. Manuel knew, he knows. A bit of a shame I think, but it will be fixed soon because they work together for many years and we understand each other perfectly. You know what I’ve done every day to maintain this balance and discipline that we’ve had.”. Antonio Cordón had a contract until 2024, but he will not fully fulfill it and He arrived at Betis in the summer of 2020 and did so together with Manuel Pellegrini, technician with whom he had already worked at Villarreal in one of the most successful sporting stages of both. Since its arrival, the Betic entity managed to qualify two consecutive seasons for the UEFA Europa League and broke a 17-year title drought with the 2022 Copa del Rey conquest.

As GOAL has learnedthe green and white club He is already considering the possibilities of finding a replacement who can take on his duties as sports director.