At midday, Juan Merino attended members of the press to analyse tomorrow's match against UD Almería, pertaining to the knock-out round of 32 in the King's Cup. The Real Betis Balompié manager professed his joy at the sensations his team gave off in the match against UE Llagostera, and gave his opinions on other issues of interest such as the future of the manager on the green-and-white bench.

Your thoughts since you took over the Real Betis bench: “Since I took over the team their attitude has been faultless. The intensity of the training sessions has been good, as well as the players' predisposition. A victory is a great boost to motivation, simulating them to train much harder and be more prepared for the forthcoming match. I am very pleased with the implication of all the players”.

What do you think of the search for a new manager?: “Es It is only natural that Betis is looking for managers. As a coach from within the Club, I am trying to win the greatest number of matches I can. The fans should not worry about the balance tipping in one direction of the other. I am working as if each session was my last and I consider every match as if it were a final. Now I am focussed on winning a King's Cup match, and nothing else. I am very enthusiastic and I'm preparing my players to take on the final we have this Friday”.

Do you think you could keep the job if you keep winning matches?: “When I was training Betis B I was asked about the schedule for the next few weeks and I didn't know. Now I am totally enthusiastic about the first team after the win the other day, I am not looking to the future. I enjoy myself every day, I recharge my batteries every night so that I have all my enthusiasm intact so I can transmit tha to the team. Any time I spend talking about whether I will stay or not will just wear me down. I want the only reason for me to be worn out to be from transmitting my enthusiasm to the players each day”.

King's Cup: “Betis has to take on any competition they are in with the greatest of enthusiasm. All the team members who play have my utmost respect. At every training session I try to get the players to see how important it is for there to be changes. The way they are training makes me feel confident. We want to transmit our work ethic and desire to win on to the match, no matter what the competition is”.

If there is a new manager will you continue as the second coach or would you prefer to go back to the reserves?: “All that would just be hypotheses, you have to deal with things when they are actually on the table. I am really enthusiastic about Betis B. I said that it was like winning the lottery when I was chosen for Betis B, because I was working for my team training the second team. At the moment I am training the first team. Whether that will last one day or two, I don't know. I am working with the same impetus as I was with the reserves, with the same contentment. I feel the same traing professionals who are older in the first team as I do with those who are a little younger in Betis B. I would be happy to go back to Betis B, it wouldn't be a problem for me. I am pleased with the reception I am getting from the first team from day one”.

Jorge Molina: “I do not like to talk about any player on an individual level. There were other players who didn't get to play in the last match. If Jorge Molina wasn't listed, another player was. They all deserve the same respect. As long as they are not layers who make a difference, we try to field the one we feel is better at the time and maintain the balance in what we are doing. There has only been one match list since I have been here, so if I continue in the future we will see what happens. I don't think it is of any importance if one player is not on the list and another is and plays. And I didn't do that with Jorge Molina, but because there were other players I have to leave out. There should be no doubt in a manager's mind when it comes to making those decisions. If I have to leave a player off the list time and time again then so be it. I try to chose the players in terms of what is best for the team. From the point of view of the team a player shouldn't be selfish, but a team player bring things to the group and benefiting from the team. If there is a player who requires the team to make an effort in his benefit then we will go with that but only if he is a player who makes a significant difference. All the players have to work as one”.

Will Chuli play tomorrow in preference over Jorge Molina?: “Chuli can play as a forward or a midfielder. Jorge Molina can play as a forward or as a forward. If there is a player who has versatility in terms of position then it is only natural that he will have more options to play in a team in which there are rotations”.

Debut at Palamós: “For me the main thing was the mindset and the teams adaptation to the ground. We gave it our all throughout the match, regardless of the odds. We were aware of UE Llagostera potential in set pieces and we gave it our all right up until the final whistle. When the team is playing like that, the manager can only be grateful for their drive, impetus and the strength shown by the team. That has to be the hallmark of the team. Sometimes talented players, in situations like the other day, that things don't work out from a technical point of view; but defending, putting the pressure on and the ability to transmit things are the collective sensations we always give off”.

Future on the bench: “I want to win tomorrow, that is all I am thinking about. I am transmitting that to the team, I don't give any thoughts to mere hypotheses. I am going to put 100% into the training sessions for them to dispute every ball as if it were a final. I cannot beat myself up about where I am going to be in three days time”.