You won the last two Athletic leagues, but it's already gone 37. What made your generation special?

Back then, we had a veteran team, but we also had young players. It was a very good team, but the rest did not take it well and they did not win either the two Leagues or the Cup.

The mentality of the group was very good, we had very close relationships. It was the right time. We started winning both at home and outside and we were facing the matches individually. We didn't think we were going to win the League or the Cup.

You also raised the last Copa del Rey of the team to Barcelona, in a very famous match between Maradona and Goikoetxea. How did you experience it?

We had a very good relationship with FC Barcelona. We have always had it, but at that time there was Maradona and when we played in Barcelona we had the same clash as in the League, there was a great stir zen.Hortik and in the final Maradona also heated the atmosphere, he was always in the center.

"We had a good relationship with FC Barcelona, but we didn't get along with Maradona"

The truth is that with FC Barcelona we already had a good relationship, but that year, with Maradona we did not get along well. He was a very weird uncle, he didn't take a good road and he confused everything.

On your cousin, is there any title you miss?

Winning the two Leagues and the Cup was quite complicated, and then it has been seen that it will be very difficult to return to repetir.Hay than to keep in mind that today it is increasingly difficult to win and form a team like this. I'm a fan of Athletic since I was born and I was lucky enough to play there. We had good and hard years, but we gained you tulos.Ha was a nice experience, but for that we had to be prepared.

Before winning the titles, you had to go to Sporting, as the first team at Athletic had no minutes. What was the experience like?

Very good. I got to Athletic and I got to do military service. I lost all year. I was in Atheltic for another two years, but I didn't play too much.

"When we went to Sporting de Gijón, we got it right in the middle"

Then he signed by Athletic to Iñaki Txurruka and I was offered to occupy the gap left in the Sporting de Gitó n.Fuimos there and we got it right. The team was very good and the life was beautiful.

You also won the two Leagues and a couple of seasons later you approach the second division Sestao. Why did you decide?

We had a chance to go and play outside. We had three children and they were already at Ikastola Laudio. I was 34 years old at the time.

The Sestao, who was in the second division, was training Jabo Irureta. He proposed to meet me -- and it was different. For example, trips were by bus. We were barely walking around and there was no money for clothes.

At the same time, it was a nice experience, because the players were known. We were about to go up to 1st. The last game we played in front of the celtic of Vigo.

As we have said, our relationship was very good, and that is essential in order to move forward and achieve the objectives.

Although Athletic won the Supercopa to Barcelona in 2015, there has been a lack of titles in recent decades. He has played many finals, but he has not won. Why? Does that give more value to what you have done?

Every year the situation gets tougher for Athletic Club, which has won two sets. Winning is very difficult and the road the sport professional has taken is against the club’s philosophy.

"The direction that professional football has taken upsets the philosophy of Athletic Club"

It does a lot. Under the chairmanship of Josu Urrutia, Athletic Club is ranked for the 2018 Champion League. There have also been finals of Copa.Han been good years, but it will be hard to win something.

Should the club change the philosophy of fichaje in order to compete against teams as giant as those that exist today?

I agree with the philosophy of Athletic. I wouldn't change a bit, but we'll see who takes responsibility in the future and what pasa.Por my share, if Athletic changes philosophy, I'll stop being socio.Sin but we'll see. Today everything is driven by money, but I believe that philosophy must be maintained.

"If Athletic Club changes philosophy, I will stop being a partner."

This year, the Garitano team has created one of the best defenses in Europe. Can you compare yourself to the time when you were a professional?

I love the work done by Gaizka Garitano and Patxi Ferreira. It is obvious that it is a solid team, especially in the part posterior.Han taken the right path and they know what they have to do. Since Gaizka Garitano took her, the team has gradually recovered the initiative.

Compared to us, I see a very good defense, they fight everywhere and play well. It's very similar.

Recently there has been talk of football and politics. When HB member and pediatrician Santiago Brouard were killed in their consultation, Real Sociedad and Athletic Club players left with the ikurrina. How did they decide? Was that your idea? Clubs? Would that be possible today?

Santi Brouard was known. We all knew what kind of person he was and what his life was like. We had to demonstrate our strength to denounce his murder. If you don't use it in the face of such a fact, why do you have the force and your head?

I still agree with what I have done. Today I don't know what people think and what they would do, but I think if they killed a person like this again, the same thing would happen, because it was a blow terrible.Santi Brouard knew exactly what he thought and the others also knew who era.Los players and the club agreed to go hand in hand that day.

This year the Spanish team will play in San Mamés. Has politics always been in sport and was it not wanted to pay attention?

Politics has always been there. I have never seen the Spanish team in San Mamés, but I think they didn't even ask to play here. Things have changed and they have to be adapted. This is one of those changes. The possibility of playing in San Mamés has been put on the table.

"Politics has always been linked to sport, but above that is money"

As has been said, it is true that politics has always been linked to sport, but above that there is money. To be a football club you need a fortune and, in the end, things are done in exchange for money.

Some people talk about modern football, because today a lot of money has been put into sport and globalisation. What differences do you see at all levels?

Right now, football is an industry. It moves a lot of money. For example, the Saudi Arabia Super Cup is now being played at the 2018 Russian World Cup. That's what causes money.

The life of the players has changed and the ball too. The ball goes very fast, much faster than before. The controls and passes that players do seem simple, but they are very complicated, because people have a very professional level alto.Son, otherwise it is impossible. In addition, they have games practically every day. That's touched today's players, and that world is moving a lot of money.

Has it changed a lot with regard to its time?

I speak to the Athetic Club, but I think players have a very normal life. It is true that it is different, because football has grown a lot, but among them I believe that the situation has not changed so much. That's it, it moves a lot more money.

What has changed the most can be the level of control. In our time, we trained and we went home. Now, instead, players are controlled in everything momento.Lo they know everything about players. For example, we didn't take food so much into account before, and from time to time, we trained on the mountain. Currently, the complete training is carried out in the sports center or in the field, it is not carried out outside of it.

What life have you had after professional football?

I was Amorebieta's coach for two years, and then I went back to Athletic. I was there 18 years, if not me equivoco.Fui representative of Bilbao Athletic and Athletic. Every weekend I went out with a group or otro.Con another partner created a small company and after 10 years I retired. Now I take care of my nephews.

You also collaborate with the Association for Mental Health ASASAM, right?

Yes, the association proposed me to become an arbitrator in the parties they organize and I will be happy. I'm happy because people are good and they give me the opportunity to help me.