Just a couple of hours after being announced as Bristol Rovers new men's first team Head Coach, Iñigo Calderón was already taking in the sights of his new team in action, in Sky Bet League One at Exeter City.
The Spaniard also took the opportunity to introduce himself to the fantastic travelling Rovers fanbase, heading down pitchside before kick-off to sign autographs, shake hands and pose for photos with the passionate Gasheads in attendance.
It was here, in this unique setting, that Calderón stopped for his very first interview with BRTV. The 42-year-old spoke of his excitement of joining the Pirates, the anticipation of his first job as a head coach, and much more...
Iñigo, Welcome to Bristol Rovers! How does it feel to be here?
"I'm excited to be here! don’t know what to say. I’ve only been in charge for one hour and look at this love from the fans. I think it’s something crazy.
“I love Boxing Day, and I cannot choose a better day to start with this Football Club."
What was it about Bristol Rovers that made this the right step for you?
“I have similar feelings to the feelings that I had when I went to Brighton as a player. We were fighting in League One against relegation, but there was something really good coming out around the Club, the stadium and the training ground.
“Everything around the Club here I think is in a good place and I have all good feelings. This is not about what you think, this is about feelings, and everything I feel here is crazy.”
How have the conversations been with the board and George Friend?
"I had to convince them as well because I have just been coaching in an Academy. But I have so much desire, so much willingness to do things right and I think they saw the passion I have for football, and I think I can bring that to the Football Club."
How excited are you to work with this group of players?
“I’ve been watching them training, I’ve been watching a lot of games, and I think they have a lot of room to improve.
"They just need to be confident because, trust me, they can play good football and that’s what I’m trying to do here.”
You join during the busy festive schedule. How do you feel about that?
“Probably it is not the best as you cannot plan the whole week to play the game, but at the same time you have a lot of games, so a lot of players have a chance. So I think it’s important when a coach comes, all the players are a bit more on it. They can see that they are going to have a chance to play because there are too many games.
“It’s going to be ten busy days, but you cannot choose the time, and I think it’s a perfect time anyway.”
I read in an interview that you did that you had a tactics board when you were just 13 years old. Have you always had a passion for coaching?
“You start to think about that passion later. When I try to reflect, I think I was a bit crazy, doing set-pieces when I was 12 or 13 years old, but now I see my son who is 12 doing the same.
“I like to coach, I like football and obviously in the last years when I was playing, I was already coaching. So, it’s something I like. It’s the only way I can keep in touch with the grass that I think I like it the most.”
Finally, you've come out today to meet the travelling Bristol Rovers fans at Exeter City. How does that feel, the first meeting with the Gasheads?
“Boxing Day is special and to see how many fans are coming here, you as the players, the coach and the staff, you have to give something back to them. I say thank you to them for the warm welcome and I'm looking forward to starting work."
