The blaugrana coach spoke about the lack of competition, the debts, La Roca Sánchez's key role, and the political climate surrounding Ciclón
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While San Lorenzo is going through a very complex institutional and sporting crisis, Damián Ayude, head coach of the first team, broke his silence and spoke about the club's current situation. In an interview with Radio La Red, the coach reviewed a challenging semester, marked by the lack of competition, the club's financial urgencies, and a final week of training sessions defined by the squad's decision not to practice due to unpaid wages.
Ayude explained that, in this complex scenario, the coaching staff is trying to maintain the group's dynamic by moving forward with tasks planned for the preseason: "The year was challenging and, without competition, the week becomes difficult. We're moving up things from the start of the preseason, which will be before the end of the year".
The conversation also led him to the political arena, amid the institutional uncertainty surrounding the club as it awaits a Board of Directors meeting that could determine whether or not a vacancy is declared. True to his stance, Ayude once again distanced himself from internal discussions, although he highlighted the silent but key role of a member of the squad: "I'm not strong in politics because it's not my area. I don't have problems with anyone, but we rely a lot on La Roca (Carlos Sánchez, the club's sporting director). He's part of the group".
Day-to-day setbacks are numerous. On Monday night, the players were informed that the club couldn't pay for the scheduled medical exams, even though everyone had fasted to take them the next day. This was another sign of disorder in a complex context. Ayude confirmed the situation and, even so, chose to look ahead: "The exams will be on Thursday. Obviously, the ideal is to be in a better situation, but we have a lot of respect for the club, as a coaching staff and as a group. I know the bans will be lifted (Editor's note: there are currently 14) and we'll build a competitive team. We deserve it as a coaching staff and as a group. It's difficult, of course, but we face it head-on".
Ayude confía en que se levantarán las inhibiciones
Regarding internal relations, the coach avoided fueling rumors about Marcelo Moretti and his relationship with the squad: "I don't know if the group banned Moretti from the locker room. The spokesperson is La Roca. There weren't any intrusive directors during this semester". He also referred to the mobster Claudio "Chiqui" Tapia, president of AFA, with whom he has had a relationship for years: "I have contact with Tapia, but not daily. I haven't spoken with him, but I know he respects me a lot and appreciates me from the four years I worked at AFA".
In a turbulent end of the year, Ayude is trying to maintain balance while he waits for the institutional situation to be solved so he can finally focus on football.
