The Real Betis manager attended the media in the press room of the Benito Villamarín Stadium. During the press conference he spoke about the forthcoming match against Athletic Club in the King's Cup Round of 16. Garrido also addressed the current situation in the national league, clearly dominated by Sunday's match against CA Osasuna. Furthermore, he gave a thorough analysis of movements so far to reinforce the team in the winter transfer market.

Is the King's Cup getting in your way?: “We have a long-term objective for the league and that is to stay in the top division. We are recruiting to get help on that front. In the King's Cup we want to play each match that comes up as best we can, and if we get through to the next round that would be perfect. Tomorrow's match will be an attractive one for many reasons, we are playing against a historic team. There will be players in the match from the second team and I think it is a great opportunity for them to prove they can get into the first team. All I see is more chances for us to win. We are not the favourites, but that means we can play with the freedom that not being favourites gives us. We can use the match to prove that we have a good team”.

Departures in the winter market: “No door is definitively open or closed. The Club is currently working hard to reinforce the team. The coach and the squad are working hard to reinforce the team with resources we have within the club. Hopefully they will all gain a place proving they are ready to fight to be in the team. The doors to the team are open for those who deserve it. There is a lot of speculation about the winter market. We are working to reinforce the team, nothing has changed in that aspect. The work is being done but it is better not to talk about it. It is not right to give information about private conversations. When we are able to give more information we will do so. Those who feel threatened because they feel they are on their way out are mistaken. They should believe in their own abilities and then they can earn their place in the team. Now it is time for us to regenerate the team, to get people enthusiastic again and to do that we need people who want to play and believe in what we are doing. I really hope those players who maybe feeling threatened can prove how good they are”.

Are there any players who have been singled out by the fans?: “We have all been singled out. Given the situation we are in all the players are working with a positive attitude, intent on earning a place on the team. I think all the players have the ability to do so if they want to. In my books any of them could be a starter. The way I work is by giving opportunities to those who earn it. I do not earmark particular players I just look for those players who are set on earning their spot. Tomorrow's match is a perfect opportunity to do so”.

Historic comeback: “When a team only has 11 points in the league, if they manage to escape relegation then you could say it was historic. It has been done in recent years and it can be done again. I knew what I was getting into, that I only had five months to resolve the situation. As I am working I am convinced that there is an improvement in the team. We still have half the season left. It seems normal to me that there is an air of criticism. I am aware of the fact there have been good and bad things. I am convinced the team is going to improve and will be more competitive. In the last two matches the team seemed more solid and they have improved in defence. The players want to do well and they have shown that they know how. There have been more positive things than negative things. I do not believe in luck but in a work process. I am convinced we are on the right track with what we are doing. I want the players to believe, to be prepared to give 100% and I have made it crystal clear that this can only be proven on the field of play”.

Sidelined players for tomorrow and Sunday: “I do not want to associate the Cup match tomorrow with the League match on Sunday. They are not alike at all. They are two completely different matches and that is how we should take them. We are going to try to field the best eleven for each match. Some players have never played in this league before and they will be anxious to prove they can and earn a place. We cannot count on Paulao, Matilla and Juan Carlos. Vadillo is still recovering from an injury. He will be better in a few hours and then he will be available. If things go well he could be able to play on Sunday”.

Morale: “What I have found is a team which has not been doing well and some downcast players. A team in need of people who understand that confidence is gained through hard work. You have to keep trying. Some footballers are leaders and they never give up. That is the spirit that I am looking for, players willing to take risks and who have character. We should all be leaders and show that we all want more. That inner leadership that can make us into leaders for others. There are players who do not raise their voices yet they are leaders on the field of play, but I want players who make it obvious that they want more. We are moving in the right direction. I do not believe in magic or instant results. I do believe in work processes. We need to work hard and believe in what we are doing. I believe we have seen improvement in the last two matches but not our best, but we can say steps are being taken on the road to improvement. We have to win the next match and find a mechanism that works and that is solid enough for the next twenty matches”.

The work process: “I have to analyse the process over and above the outcome of the match against Almería. We deserved to win the match, but I shouldn't change my point of view because a ball did not go in by a centimetre. Changes in the line-up respond to that work process. It wouldn't be fair to always field the same players. You cannot turn up with a fixed set of tactics. Sometimes you have to use different devices to win”.

The King's Cup: “The best thing for any team is to win matches. Athletic are the favourites, but we will go out there to win. We have our options to win and to see the work process in terms of players whose play can improve the team's performance. You have to respect the match".

The transfer market: “I know the Club is working on this aspect. I would have liked to have started the year with everything in place 100%, but that is not always possible in the real world. You have to know how to adapt. The Club is working on reinforcing the team and it is our hope that will happen sooner rather than later. The market itself marks the schedules. With more players we will be more competitive, and able to win matches”.

Reinforcements: “I have asked the club for players that will enthuse the fans with a level of skill and prestige to ensure that there help for the team will be effective. We have been offered millions of players that we have rejected. A lot of information is going around that isn't true. I understand that everyone is clear on the players that we want. Private negotiations are underway, which is how it should be. Hopefully they will be concluded in the next few days and we shall have better team as a result. Everyone wants a better team even those players in the squad now”.

Change of role: “We will do everything in our power for things to go well. I do not think there has been much change since Stosic's dismissal. I am still doing my job. The coach proposes that players he likes best and those he feels will fit in the best. We make decisions based upon what is available to us. I think it is only normal that a Club values the opinion on their coach. We can talk about many players but the negotiations that are underway are the ones the Club is able to close”.

Would you have liked an earlier signing?: “I would have liked the early arrival of some players but I understand that there are many things that need to happen first and that they are doing all they can to close negotiations. I would like them to materialise as soon as possible. The coach's opinion has been taken into account in so far as they are players who are compatible with those we have at the moment. Truly every effort is being made for this to happen. It would be of no use me getting uptight about it".

Responsibility for signing: “I feel my opinions have been respected in terms which players are to be signed”.

Does the fact that the team is bottom of the league influence which players can come?: “We have millions of offers for players from all over the world. The ones we are interested in are the ones who acknowledge the greatness of Betis and accept the challenge of saving an important club. I like that commitment”.