Miguel Angel Lotina Extends Contract With Deportivo La Coruna

Deportivo La Coruna will now be able to focus solely on football as they look to secure a berth in Europe next season, after coach Miguel Angel Lotina officially signed a one-year extension to his current contract.

The latest round of talks between Lotina, his agent, Inaki Ibanez, and club president Cesar Lendoiro lasted until 2:30am Thursday morning, but all parties finally came to an agreement.

The 51-year-old trainer had initially requested a pay rise not only for himself but also several members of his coaching staff, as well as a two-year extension. The club board deemed the offer unsuitable but eventually settled for a one-year renewal and a wage increase which, although it doesn’t quite meet Lotina’s demands, does include various performance-based incentives.

Speaking at a press conference in the training grounds after putting pen to paper, Lotina said, “I never had any doubts. I made my decision some time ago and I told my agent and the president that I wanted to stay on.

“And when I take a decision and give my word, I do not go back on it. Now, everything has been signed and I am very satisfied to be able to continue at Depor for another year.”

Lotina, whose contract will now run until June 30, 2010, admitted that numerous other clubs tried to pry him away from Galicia.

“There a few other offers made but the truth is that Depor are a bigger club than the other options that I had. If everyone is satisfied, the renewal will be easier next year. The conditions should be the same,” he elaborated.

“I do not rule out staying on as coach as long as [Javier] Irureta did [seven years], but it’s not my goal to beat his reign either. I am just happy to continue as necessary and the longer I stay on, it means that things are going well.”

The Blanquiazules will now start work on reviewing the contracts of countless players whose term will expire soon, including Verdu, Manuel Pablo, Sergio, Pablo Alvarez, Pablo Amo, Munua and Jonathan De Guzman, although the latter two are likely to leave.

Depor will face direct rivals for European qualification, Malaga, on Saturday.

KS Leong, Goal.com