Realmadrid News

Guti: "We support Capello 100 percent because we believe in him"

You've had a bad start to the year, losing several games and scoring very few goals.
We are aware of having to improve considerably, especially at the Bernabéu. We train hard in order to achieve this. We are still excited about winning the League. Our work is based on training hard in order to play well.

Can you tell us what Capello and you argued about?
Nothing happened. These things happen in this job. Neither of us was disrespectful with the other. We have great respect for each other. We've known each other for ten years and we have a special relationship.

Does the squad agree with the Board's reaffirmation of their faith in Fabio Capello?
Of course. We are aware of having to improve. Since the start of the season, we have all been trying to be more united, starting with the President, the Board and the Sporting Director, in order to pull through. Capello is doing a good job. All he needs is time.

Have you forgotten about what the President said about you?
I don't want to talk about that. It's in the past.

What did you think about the whistles and protests of the crowd in the match against Levante?
Fans who go to the stadium every Sunday want to see us win and to enjoy watching us play. They criticise us when that's not what they get. We have to give 100 percent in order to get back on track. The fans have always supported us when we play well.

Who do you think the fans were whistling at?
They whistled at us because we are the ones who play the games. The rest have been doing their jobs for a very short period of time. It's always damaging to join a team that is going through a bad spell.

Does the squad support Capello?
We support him 100 percent and we are calm because we have faith in his working method and in what we can do. It isn't good to stand divided. We want to take the team to the very top.

Does this situation resemble the days prior to the departure of other coaches?
No. The coach has the support of the entire squad and the Club. We want him to remain here for a long time.

You are the second captain. What's your opinion on Beckham's situation?
He is a good friend and a great player. His decision of starting anew somewhere else must be respected. We would like him to play, but it is up to the Club to decide that. There's nothing we can do about it. The most important thing is for the fans to support us.

Do you think Saturday's match will be Capello's last chance to do something right?
No. He should be allowed to work with ease. Every forthcoming game shouldn't put extra pressure on him. Saturday's match will be our first chance to put an end to this negative situation.

At least Barcelona aren't as great as they were last season?
We would be leaders by far if we had played better at home. We have to improve. This League is very tight.

You were in a similar situation in 1999 and you managed to win the Champions League.
We want to win at least one title this season. Let's hope we can celebrate something at Cibeles this summer.

Where will you play now that Gago and Higuaín play on the team?
I will play wherever they tell me to. They are two very important new signings and we must give them room to work. They aren't here to save the day. They are here to learn and to adapt to European football.

Does the end of the postal vote controversy benefit you?
The fact that people were still talking about the July election at this stage wasn't good. It's now over and we must all give the current President all our support. As a Madridista, what I really want is for the team to be at the very top.


Report by Luis Navarro
Photography by David R. Anchuelo
Translation by Michael J. O'Donnell

posted by khalidmrrakchi@hotmail.com @ 1:53 AM