Letter to Ruben Baraja “El Pipo”

I still remember updating Twitter around 1 in the morning with my partner waiting for it to be confirmed that Rubén Baraja was the coach of Elche. At that moment I knew that something good awaited us... those sensations were true.

You came to a locker room indignant, embarrassed, frustrated... I remember that meeting where you took us all: props, medical staff, technical staff... and with your leadership you convinced us that the previous thing was already history and we had to give our best to save this club from where they had left it, and that you needed the best from each of us.

A unique preseason, every day a player from the previous campaign disappeared. Players who didn't count, others who were waiting to leave... and your normality was giving meaning to something that was inexplicable.

Days and days calling players until the wee hours of the morning trying to convince them to come to Elche. Nobody wanted to hear about us, it was a whole sea of ​​doubts. But you believed and the best you made us believe...

here were only ten days left and the team to do and even so we were happy about the defeat of Ponferrada, I remember saying “the team played well” with that we were satisfied. How would we see what we experienced so that a winner like you could deal with that...

The insistence, perseverance, perseverance in everyday life with a group of young people who came to Elche to vindicate themselves. 90% did not play for their teams the previous year, it was the club that protected them to be back in the market. And you convinced them that if we joined together we could save the club and they left everything behind. With a game idea, above success or failure... The team has given everything, they have trained to the maximum. Each training session is a luxury to see the involvement, intensity and belief in what you transmitted. As you have always said “the boys give everyone a ten”.

I can only thank you for your many hours of work, your involvement, everything we have learned. But above all, what you achieved as a player has been manifested daily in “humility.” Being a close person, a great friend and companion.

We don't know if the path in football will bring us together, but those of us who have known you know that you will go far and we want things to go great for you and your work group, which also consists of ten.

THANK YOU AND A THOUSAND TIMES, THANK YOU PIPO!!!