The former tennis player officially announced that he will compete in the elections for El Rojo and shared details about his management team, the sponsorship deal he negotiated, and his plans for the sports area
The electoral race of Independiente has a new protagonist. Gastón Gaudioconfirmed that he will be a candidate for president of the club in the elections on December 13 and began to outline some of the main points on which he will seek to build his project.
In an interview with Radio La Red, the former tennis player explained what led him to make the decision after several months of analysis and negotiations. "I present myself as a candidate for president. That is already decided. It is a difficult decision in my life, because I have often wanted to be there and had many commitments to fulfill. I have been traveling a lot. Today is the day that I have everything arranged", he stated.
In this way, his candidacy joins those of Enrique Quique Sacco (Authentic Independent Movement), Luciano Nakis (Red List) and Daniel Bertoni (Authentic Reds), who have already made their intention to participate in the election public.
On the other hand, Gaudio anticipated that his structure will be linked to the groups Gente de Independiente and Puro Sentimiento Rojo, although he emphasized that he will seek to incorporate other sectors. "I am open to anyone coming because I am a fan. Whoever wants to come to do good, let’s all move forward. We want to win", the former tennis player expressed regarding the formation of his space.
The 2004 Roland Garros champion shared that before taking the step, he needed to complete certain aspects of his proposal. In this regard, he stated: "There were many things that had to be fulfilled for me to present myself and take this responsibility, which I believe is one of the most important in my life. Little by little, everything I wanted to happen to take this responsibility fell into place. It is a club that I love and that is huge".
One of the conditions he set for forming his team was related to the backgrounds of those who will accompany him. In this regard, Gaudio pointed out: "I didn't want anyone who has done harm to the club in the last 20 years, no one who had decision-making power and has done something that has not been good for the club".
Additionally, he described the personal impact that his entry into institutional politics will have: "And I to put my face, put my time, leave my family… Because it’s 24 hours. Today I launch myself as a candidate and it is stressful. You are thinking about Independiente all day. At night you can’t sleep, it is a really very important decision".
The financial backing
In parallel, one of the central aspects of his project revolves around financing. Gaudio traveled to Miami to meet with the emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, as part of the efforts to finalize a commercial agreement. As he explained, sponsorship was one of the requirements he needed to resolve before officially announcing his candidacy.
"I closed the sponsor, which I just went on a trip to finalize the last details. We have the sponsor and without that I wouldn’t have dared to do anything. I believe it is what Independiente needs to build a competitive team and have the possibility to put Independiente where it deserves", he assured.
Gaudio would have the sponsorship of the Emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani
Regarding the scope of the agreement, the candidate detailed: "The sponsor means what the advertising on a jersey is like for all teams today. I didn’t put the naming of the stadium on the table, nor was that topic discussed. I have it as a strategy in case we fall short, to offer it in the future. My idea is to have it as an alternative. It’s a fortune of money for me, I’m sure it’s the best contract Independiente has ever had in terms of sponsorship in its entire history. In exchange for nothing, just advertising. We owe nothing, it’s not more debt for Independiente".
The sports project
The sports setup also occupies a relevant place. Although he preferred to keep the name confidential, Gaudio stated that he has already defined his sports director and noted that it is a former football player. "For me, it is the best thing that will happen to the club. He was a football player", he expressed.
Regarding the coach, he avoided anticipating a decision about Jadson Viera, who currently leads the team. "We always have the coach that we all like at Independiente. Milito is liked by everyone. But today there is this guy who has to win and we have to qualify. We are very close, just a little bit left for the championship to finish. We are going to win and qualify for the cups, then we’ll see", he indicated.
The participation of Bochini and the future of the current structure members
Another name linked to the project is Ricardo Bochini. Gaudio shared that he has already spoken with the club's greatest idol and confirmed his participation in the space: "Who is our greatest idol? Bochini. He will be with us. I have already spoken with him. My idol for life is Bochini". According to the former tennis player, the emblem of the Rojo will serve as a football advisor.
Bochini will be part of Gaudio's project at Independiente
The candidate also referred to the functioning of the youth divisions and the possibility of retaining some members of the current structure. In this regard, he assured that he does not believe that all the people working at the club should leave their positions and mentioned Carlos Matheu and Eduardo Tuzzio for their work in the Reserve.
The stance on SADs and his management model
Regarding the institutional model, Gaudio expressed his opposition to turning Independiente into a Sports Anonymous Society (SAD). "Everything I have in my life, which I don’t know if it’s a lot or a little, I had because of a club. I was born in a club. I was born in the Lawn Tennis of Temperley, a social club where I spent the first 13 years of my life. I would leave school at 4 in the afternoon and go straight to the club. Everything that formed me is a social club. It doesn’t cross my mind to destroy that. It doesn’t exist. Can you imagine if Real Madrid were private? Independiente is too big of a club. It’s obvious", he stated.
Finally, he explained his idea for management: "You have to put competent people in each place. Obviously, the club's assets are the youth players, the youth teams, of course". He also insisted on the need to have a sports director who centralizes decisions in professional and formative football.
