Marcelino reveals choice

Marcelino has revealed why he rejected Real Betis to take over at Racing Santander.

After leaving Recreativo at the end of the season, the 42-year-old was offered the coaching job at Betis but after analysing both sets of players chose to head to Cantabria.

Marcelino admits that he wanted to start with less players and bring in his own recruits to the squad rather than join a club that needed a lot of cutting down.

"I want 23 players in the squad," he said.

"When a squad is overcrowded it creates doubts in the coach and the players become restless.

"At Betis there is saturation and at Racing there is the opposite."

One of Marcelino's first tasks at El Sardinero will be to sort out the future of highly-rated striker Nicola Zigic and he is realistic about what to do.

"Thinking about bringing in a player of the same ilk would be sensible," he continued.

"I have read the stories that claim that without Zigic and Pedro Munitis then Racing would not amount to much.

"We all know how Racing played when they were not available.

"It is essential to have quick forwards, although I also like to have variety throughout the team.

"That is not my job. I do not look after the youth teams nor do I deal with overseas scouting. I look after my team and watch our rivals to see what we can do."

Racing president Francisco Pernia was delighted to have captured Marcelino after the surprise resignation of Miguel Angel Portugal recently.

"This is a success for Racing," Pernia said. "On occasions like this we can be calm compared to other times that have not been so good."

As for the future of Zigic and several other wanted players, Pernia was adamant that Racing would not allow anyone to leave if the price is not right.

"Racing is not going to be giving anyone away," he added.

"This year the players of Racing will have a high price and if nobody is willing to pay it then they will stay here."