Under a blue sky and a radiant sun, the immensity of the Armando Pérez property was the setting for a deep talk between the president of Belgrano, Luis Artime and The voice.
“Welcome to our house” said the leader in his first sentence, while proudly looking at the growth of a place where sporting activity has almost no brakes throughout the year.
The topics were several and these are the responses of Artime, who is entering the first week of his second term with several new leaders in more than important functions within the structure.
*AFA grants the chance to add reinforcements for the injured Passerini and Sánchez, but the deadline expires on May 9 at 8 p.m.
“We are trying to get some reinforcement, but we don’t want to rush, because what is brought will be to prioritize the squad. It is difficult to replace the injured due to their level. And we’re truly looking at our players, our products. Therefore, if these players are brought in, they have to come ready to play.”
*From June 1, the pass book opens and reinforcements will be given there no matter what.
“There it changes because several players begin to finish their contracts, others return to their clubs and a higher range is produced, which is not the same as now, because at this moment it is going to look for one who is in a club.”
*The expansion of the “Tito” Cuellar tribune.
“The Cuellar tribune was paid to Astori (in charge of the stands) what had to be paid and the only thing that is stopping us from starting with the foundations is an issue of paperwork in the Municipality. Once the permits are obtained, we will be building it. We know that it takes a long time to approve a work. “People should stay calm because the grandstand will be done as we promised.”
*The sports director.
“We are going to add a sports director and we will work in the scouting area to add people and a lot of data. We know that it is difficult for the ball to enter, but the best decisions must be made to make it pass, that entire area is very important to not fail at key moments. The name of the Director is almost ready and I will make it public when I have it finalized.”
*Overall growth.
“In the three years we have been here, the club has grown greatly and to be able to meet all the requirements of the athletes, we have to grow all areas, because the club demands. “We are going to request everyone’s collaboration, as we have always had, now it will be like that again.”
*Self-criticism of the reinforcements brought
“In this blessed country, everyone stays with the bad and not with the good that is done. With what you fail and not with what you get right. A scorer like Pablo Vegetti left and we brought another like Lucas Passerini, we have Bryan Reyna, a forward who in the country I don’t know if there are any characteristics like him. We have 70 or 80% of our own players. I’m from the time when the players all came on loan for a year. We consolidate the football base of the institution with two or three year contracts. That you can make a mistake is real, but the concrete thing is that the club’s economic future is consolidated.”
*Matías Suárez.
“I am the president and I am responsible for all the political decisions made in the club. I’ve been one for three years and it hasn’t been bad for us. Regarding Matías, I understand that he will give us everything we need and that people will rest assured that he gave everything he had to give. Contract cuts? There will be those players who are not taken into account, the coaching staff has the right to decide.”
*The lists of reinforcements and casualties of Juan Cruz Real
“We talk to the DT every day. For them it is a peace of mind that a president who was a player is present.”
*The status
“What is going to be done is a modernization of the statute, not a modification. It is something that the partners are asking us for. I made the call in the assembly for an internal debate to take place and then what is being worked on will be put to the consideration of all members.”
*Sports goal 2024
“Continue playing international tournaments and fighting for things. It will not be possible to fight on all fronts, but my leadership is like this: it goes for everything. We were at the forefront not only in sports, but institutionally, culturally, in infrastructure and in the economic health of the club.”
*Hard-headed, not knowing or personalistic, which hurts more to be told.
“I don’t think anyone will say that I don’t know, because in three years we are where we are because of the decisions made and it will be three better years if God wants those to come. Hard-headed, I’m a bit like that, but don’t let people forget that I make my decisions with my heart. I didn’t hear the personalist thing… because I consulted with everyone about the decisions to bring in a coach or players, but listen to what I’m telling you: if we make a mistake, I’m the one to blame, the others didn’t make a mistake.”
*The assemblies
“I love the way they are and I want to keep them that way. I like that members ask me questions and I always answer them. I don’t dribble any questions, I answer everything. Any fan passes this president on the street and if he wants to ask him something I will answer him and answer him.”
*How you want to be remembered
“Like a president who led Belgrano the way he played: always moving forward in whatever they put in. I want to set the bar high so that whoever succeeds me has to make an effort to continue making the club grow.”
