It has been a year to the day since Jagoba Arrasate swapped the north for the Balearics when he joined as our head coach last summer.
In one of his most intimate interviews yet, we spoke with our manager to find out how life has been on our island, what the adaptation has been like and how our fans have made the transition smoother.
How has your adaptation to the island been?
I think it's been good because it's been a short year. That, in theory, is a good sign. The truth is that I'm delighted both personally and professionally.
What has surprised you the most?
I've yet to see a lot of places, but I like the tranquillity of the island, depending on whether you know how to get around, it invites you to lead a healthy life and do sport. These are things that I value.
It's clear that you are a person who likes to immerse yourself in the culture of the place you go to.
Yes, I don't understand it any other way. If we go to a place, we have to soak up a bit of the culture of that place and also the idiosyncrasies of the club. In that respect, that has always been one of my objectives. Wherever I go, I try to get involved as much as possible.
And what about Mallorquin?
Well, I know words: days of the week, numbers... All that is fine, but my children are a bit ahead and they are the ones who are teaching me Mallorquin.
Here you have places that remind you of your homeland, like that fronton court in Sineu that you went to, right?
Yes, of course. There is a Basque house here and there are events related to the culture there. When they told me that there was a pelota match in Sineu, that there were Basque songs and all that, the truth is that it was a pleasure. You go there and it's like feeling at home. There's always someone who's come here who tells you their story, how they've adapted here? I love all that. It's a bit like remembering your roots and that's always nice.
This is paradise, but you also suffer, don't you?
Yes, at times you have the feeling of paradise, because the truth is that the environment is wonderful and I like to walk on land, nature, the sea and all that. The truth is that it is beautiful, but it is also true that as coaches we are not unaware of the pressure we are under.
Where do you “take refuge” in bad moments, results, streaks?
Above all, in the family. When you have a wife and three children, the truth is that you always have something to do. Besides, they're at school, they're in extracurricular activities.... So, we are always on the move. But it is also true that there are times when I can enjoy going for a walk, a walk in the mountains, a jog.... There are an infinite number of places and that sometimes frees me up too.
And for you holidays, how will you switch off?
By doing those things that are more difficult during the year. Being with friends, being able to visit my homeland. Now that I'm here and the kids are at school, I take the opportunity to visit places I've never been to before. The weather is also nice and a dip in the sea is always good. To do those things that in the end relax you and also make things come to your mind, which are good to analyse, to correct. And in no time at all, as we'll be back again, I'm sure I'll be back with my batteries recharged.
Do you think that can lead you to have a different assessment of the season than a few weeks ago?
Well, sometimes the evaluations in the heat of the moment are not the most accurate or the most... I don't know. It's true that we've all been left with the feeling that it could have been better and with time, surely, we'll give it more value. I also understand it. We always stick to the last thing and the last thing has not been good. So, it is normal that we have that feeling.
What do you learn from this season?
That we know the squad better, that we know Real Club Deportivo Mallorca better, that we know the island better, that we know the league better for next year. We have to detect what we need and then also strengthen what we have done well.
What would you highlight the most about the club itself?
Above all, the family feeling. We've been very comfortable at Son Bibiloni. We have a squad that is a family and then with the club staff, too. Everyone is always cordial. I try to adapt myself as well. At any given moment, if I'm asked for my opinion, I'll also give it because I've been at other clubs and there are some that also do things well. We all try to keep growing together.
How do you perceive the feeling of the fans towards Mallorca?
It is true that there is a feeling of belonging. There are villages, there are places in the interior where Mallorcanism is at its best. Many people stop you in the street and say things to you. So, you also realise the feeling that there is here, that Mallorcan feeling. What we want is for that to grow little by little.
What do all the people who stop you in the street say to you?
They tell you some story, some anecdote related to the history of Mallorca. I like that a lot. You can find it anywhere. If you go to school, someone can stop you and tell you something at the door of the school. Or when I go to see the training sessions of my children, the same thing. Anywhere because there are Mallorquinistas everywhere. It's true that I appreciate that and it helps me to understand Mallorcans better.
You talk about your children's training. Do you like to be involved in amateur football on the island?
I come from there, so I love that. I have two sons playing here in La Unión. I go to the training sessions, I go to the games I can go to, which are not many. I like those clubs and how they get on. I was also involved in the village team and I know how difficult it is to juggle all the schedules, to coordinate everything, to have to sell raffles? I like pure football, which is a bit like that. And I like being here, in Secar, but also when they play against other teams I like to go to other fields and get to know a bit of amateur football here in Mallorca.
The key is to generate hope for next season, isn't it?
I think so. It's true that this year we have certainly generated enthusiasm and then we haven't realised it and that leaves you with a bit of a bit of a bad feeling. But we can't forget what the first half of the season was like, how people got into it, everything we've been through. We're going to try to continue to take steps, so that Mallorca can continue to grow. I think that finishing in the top ten is already a step forward. We don't want to stop there. We want to be better every day and we are going to try.
