15.11.2007, 05:28
New Portland president: “I did not think about it”

After San Miguel stepped down, Miguel Galarraga takes over as Portland San Antonio's president. He talks to Eurohandball.com about the change and his goals.

New Portland president: “I did not think about it”

Miguel Galarraga (born in 1947 in Pamplona, Spain) has retired from his civil profession in the bank sector. He played hockey for San Antonio, he was also director of the club and the moment has arrived for him to take responsibility for one of the most important handball clubs of the world.

Eurohandball.com: You take the place of the President in a difficult moment. Why now?

Miguel Galarraga: The circumstances are circumstances. Our financial manager has retired and everybody thought that Jose Ignacio San Miguel was the perfect person for this position. He thinks that it would not be compatible to be president and manager at the same time and somebody had to be the president. Others from the Board could not take the responsibility, but I could.

Eurohandball.com: Was it a surprise to you?

Miguel Galarraga: The problem of the retirement of our manager, obviously, is not a surprise. However, I did not think about being the president. We looked for a manager from outside the club but after we thought that Jose Ignacio was perfect. This situation brought that I take the place of the president.

Eurohandball.com: What can you give to San Antonio?

Miguel Galarraga: I’m a sports person. I like hockey, skating and handball. But I do not know everything about these sports. I worked with groups and I know about personal relationships. I think I can help to the club in these respects. We must have unity and we must be a strong team to be successful.

Eurohanball.com: What is your objective as a Portland president?

Miguel Galarraga: San Miguel has been working for seven years and I hope to work just as well as Jose Ignacio did. We do not have as much money as Ciudad Real or Barcelona and we cannot promise the Champions League title. However, we showed that a strong group can win, so we must be united to be successful.

TEXT: Fernando Urra Goñi