Pachuca Boss Fires Back: 'We've Invested a Fortune in Oviedo and We'll Keep Spending'
Jesús Martínez responds to fan protests at Real Oviedo with promises of continued investment and hints at new signings for the struggling Primera División side.
Pachuca Boss Fires Back: ‘We’ve Invested a Fortune in Oviedo and We’ll Keep Spending’
The honeymoon period is well and truly over for Real Oviedo’s owners as fans voice their frustrations with Grupo Pachuca’s running of the newly-promoted club.
From Heroes to Villains?
It’s been a proper rollercoaster for the Grupo Pachuca ownership at Real Oviedo. After taking over as majority shareholders in July 2022, they were the toast of the town when they guided the club back to La Liga after 24 long years in the wilderness.
But blimey, how quickly things change in football. The last three months have seen the relationship take a serious turn for the worse, with fans making their feelings crystal clear during Saturday’s match against Celta Vigo. One particularly pointed banner read: ‘Pachuca: More football and less business’.
Martínez Stands His Ground
The Mexican ownership group isn’t taking these accusations lying down. Speaking at an event in Hidalgo State, Grupo Pachuca president Jesús Martínez came out swinging:
“I have to respect it, but I absolutely disagree,” the Mexican businessman stated firmly before defending his group’s financial commitment to the club.
Martínez was particularly keen to highlight their investment record, claiming that alongside Carlos Slim, they’ve pumped more money into Real Oviedo than any previous owners in the club’s history.
In what will be music to the ears of worried Oviedo supporters, he promised: “We’ve invested a fortune and we’ll keep investing.”
Transfer Talk
Addressing speculation about player movements, Martínez made it clear that no Pachuca players would be joining Oviedo, but promised “one reinforcement, maybe even two” in the coming transfer window.
In a show of their commitment to the sporting project, Grupo Pachuca recently rejected a €12 million offer for Fede Viñas, who’s currently on loan at Oviedo from León (another club in their portfolio).
Meanwhile, midfielder Nicolás Fonseca is expected to arrive from León in the coming days, likely spelling the end for Kwasi Sibo despite his recent start under new manager Almada. Brandon Domingues is also heading for the exit door without having made a single Primera División appearance.
The proof will be in the pudding, as they say down the Boleyn Ground, but Martínez is clearly determined to show that Pachuca remains committed to Oviedo’s success both financially and on the pitch.