The President of Real Betis Balompié once again appeared before members of the press at the pressroom in the Benito Villamarín Stadium. The highest representative of the green-and-white Club was accompanied by Pedro Buenaventura in his presentation as the new Director of Football in the area of youth football. He gave his opinions on a number of current events concentrating his answers on the various operations underway in the technical Secretariat in terms of the transfer market.

A message of welcome for Pedro Buenaventura: “First of all, I would like to thank publicly Luis Fradua for all the work he has done and wish him the greatest of success in his future undertakings. Pedro Buenaventura is a person who doesn't need much presentation, he is a professional who has spent 30 years working in youth football. Furthermore, he knows this Club extremely well. The Board of Directors, after a previous failed attempt to bring him to the club because of his loyalty to the team he was linked with, has finally managed to get him to take charge of the directorship of football for the youth teams. We understand that a person with this experience represents a determined effort by the Board of Directors to further develop the Heliopolis Academy project".

Why have you dispensed with the services of those previously responsible?: “Luis Fradua was not hired directly by the club but through the University of Granada, something that has a greater cost to the club than direct recruitment. Furthermore, he was unable to give us sole and exclusive dedication. Over time, the Board thought that it was more interesting to incline towards someone with direct commitment to the youth teams and someone who has greater physical presence on a daily basis at our installations. These were the circumstances that led us to make this decision, in addition to Pedro Buenaventura's qualifications, personality and professional career. Before Luis Fradua we already tried to get Pedro Buenaventura to join us as the director of football for the youth academy. That does not mean that we are not satisfied with the performance and the work that has been done by those who have preceded him. He has a free hand, within limits, to make up his team”.

Was it a mistake to bring in Luis Fradua?: “The signing was made in an economic scenario based on the First Division which has nothing to do with the current situation. The current circumstances have led us to change the person. The most important investment this Board has made is in the area of youth football. And we continue investing. We are considering the introduction of a third under 18 team for players who, according to what Pedro Buenaventura has explained to me, have a slower development. We are adjusting the budget in order to create this new team in the Academy. We believe that our youth team should be the basis of the first-team. In the absence of signings of any lustre we have to take advantage of our apprentices. I don't believe that taking on Luis Fradua was a mistake”.

The continuity of Rubén Castro: “He has a contract with us and we want to count on him. I had lunch with his agent last week. Basically, we are waiting for him to return from holiday and talk with the manager, that is what his agent told me. Both the player and Julio Velázquez have to tell us that he is committed to the project of getting the team promoted again. If he is committed, we will make every effort so that he can continue with us. Margarita (Rubén Castro's agent) said that until he talks with the manager she can't say much more. Exceptions can be made but not spectacular ones. We want to follow the same line in terms of the renovations and not create any special situations”.

Will Adán be the goalkeeper for the 2014/15 season?: “I believe he will be our goalkeeper for the next season and the one after as well. He is going to be a footballer with a lot of weight within the team. I believe he is very happy in this club. If someone is willing to pay the release fee, then we will be left without a goalkeeper; but I don't think that is can happen. He is delighted with the project and very committed”.

Signings: “There are three that could be announced this tweak as the negotiations are almost complete. They will be announced in due course. It could be today, tomorrow or Monday”.

The renovation of Varela: “There is an interest in him staying with us. The Board is not only interested in the youth area, in terms of promoting players, but also in integration. Based on that integration we must look at all areas. In the categories that we are talking about the fact that a player has a salary well above other players is going to create some uneasiness within the group, and that is an important consideration. We will make every effort with Varela. The technical staff tell us that he is a valid footballer with projection but we cannot create a problem. The proposals that have been made to him are in the same line as other players, not of greater value but of a value that has been contrasted. Within these limits we will fight for him to stay. There are players who are leaving not because we cannot pay what they are asking for but because we cannot create any precedence with any of the players no matter what their future projection maybe. This is not going to be the last case like this. There are ambitious lads and teams who are making offers. Although we are aware of what their value could be we cannot put down any of the other members of the group. The offers that are being made are quite reasonable. He is a lad with a good career ahead of him. If he wants to progress quickly in economic terms, maybe he shouldn't be with this club”.

How you going to enthuse the fans?: “Enthusing the Betis fans next season is going to be a complicated one. We should be realistic. The LFP (Professional Football League) committee monitoring financial issues have authorised a €12 million limit on our spending. There are contracts currently in force that we have to respect despite the fact that the club's income has been reduced as a result of relegation. These contracts make up more than 50% of that amount. Making a competitive team with the money available is going to be difficult, and more so to make them exciting. We are not going to be able to sign any all-singing all-dancing players. We want players not names. But we will make a competitive team with people who are enthusiastic and who have a desire to grow with the team. That is reason enough people to get enthusiastic. In fact, the sale of season passes has been higher in the first few days than in the same period of the last two seasons. We have already sold some 1800 season passes. We must be generating some enthusiasm”.

What are you going to do with the €5 million earned in the UEFA Europa League?: “That money has already been absorbed. It was used on the winter transfer market. The remainder of that money is included in the budget we have for this season”.

Changes in the Technical Secretariat: "There is absolute autonomy for him to build up his staff. There are going to be reinforcements in the technical Secretariat. But until I receive specific proposals I cannot say who is going to come. The idea is that he reinforces this area with the people that he sees fit and who will contribute to the project that he is captaining”.