owner Elche CF, Christian BragarnikIt’s his first failure this season since he bought it. illicitano club finally 2019. The Argentine investor stopped being idolized by the majority of his fans after three successful campaigns. One promotion and two stays in the Premier League; being the center of all criticism due to its poor planning on the current route.
The maximum shareholder is aware of this. franciverde owes its supporters. Anything but building a good squad for next season, fighting for promotion and returning to the elite of Spanish football will only increase their distance from a fan base that has proven so loyal so far.
INTERVENTION ON THE STANDS
Support over 24,000 subscribers and teams despite poor results
Fans of Franjiverdes responded from the very beginning in an exciting season, marking the Centenary and after two campaigns in the highest category that even invite them to dream of higher levels. The season ticket campaign was a complete success, with more than 24,000 fans purchasing their cards.
But not only that, despite their constant disappointment and frustration, Elche fans set an example and always stood by their team and their players. Only in the last game against Valencia in Martínez Valero, after losing 0-2 and seeing mathematical relegation a step away, the fans whistled to their players and raised their voices with the slogan “Bragarnik go now”. Until then, the fans were sympathetic and supportive of both home and away games.
IMPORTANT COMPLEMENTS
Centennial events and social distancing
Bragarnik is a very introverted person outside of his office in the Martínez Valero stadium. His constant trips to Argentina and his absence on the territory of Elche also caused criticism from fans.
Although he has never been afraid of photography, he has always stayed away from the social mass. He did not even take part in the two most important events held on the occasion of the club’s Centennial Anniversary, such as the gold medal delivery by the city’s City Council and the fans’ gala organized by the Peñas Federation most recently.
In social matters, the owner of the Elche usually delegates to president Joaquín Buitrago, who charges for him and has more knowledge and relationships with institutions and fan clubs. This situation has also caused a certain loyalty to a fan base accustomed to seeing the visible head of the entity in all sports and social actions and events surrounding the club.
Bragarnik admitted in an interview that this was one of his mistakes and will try to change. But so far it hasn’t.
CURRENT MONEY
Salary cap won’t be far from this season
The Argentine investor needs to regain the love and support of a fan who was completely disillusioned with the disastrous season and relegation. The owner of the Elche club knows that he cannot fail his followers. For this, they need to form a team that is leading in the Second Division and has been fighting from the first game to rise and return to the First Division.
Money is no excuse for this. Elche has been the team with the lowest salary cap in the highest category this season, at just over 20 million, which can be justified. However, in the Second Division next season, the Elche team will be one of the “cocks”. The relegation aid provided by LaLiga will exceed ten million and the Elche club will have enough money to build a good roster and retain the majority of existing players with a valid contract.
Despite the drop, Elche’s salary cap will be around 20 million and will be pretty similar to the current season in the First Division. You will even be able to use a small percentage – about 5% – of the IVC credit you have received from the Clubs’ Association.
INFRASTRUCTURE
Rehabilitation of the exterior of the stadium and the new sports city
One of the other promises of Christian Bragarnik with his fans and club is the construction of a sports city that will put an end to the endless problems of training places; and the rehabilitation of the exterior of the Martínez Valero stadium.
It’s understandable to some extent that these types of issues are slow to progress because of all the bureaucracy you need. But when the Argentine investor went public several times, he always said he would make them happen “soon.” He even has money from the excesses the club’s accounts have produced in recent years and the loan given by LaLiga.
So far, the interior of the stadium has been improved: changing rooms, grandstands, etc. However, the fans are also waiting for the new sports city and the exterior of the stadium.