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¡La cantera! – The changing face of one club in Spain

Overcoming obstacles and the future…

In a recent interview, club president Quique Pina has stressed the importance of the youth system at the club. Ambitiously he stated that one day, the hope is to even rival the legendary La Masia of Barcelona.

Whilst it’s early days yet, it’s clear the ambition is there and rapid progress has been made in the last couple of years at all youth levels.

Last year the club announced a deal with Ayuntamiento de Otura, to construct Ciudad Deportiva Granada CF. This deal would see the arrival of state of the art facilities, which would benefit all levels of the club and also the local community in the Otura suburb of Granada. Unfortunately earlier this year, mainly due to political reasons with the Ayuntamiento de Otura, the deal fell through, as they hadn’t even begun work on the site as promised.

Frustrated with the situation, Quique Pina has looked elsewhere in order to get a new complex constructed and ready for use, as quickly as next season.

At the moment, it’s understood that he’s looking to take control of the Granada 92 complex within the city. When Quique Pina sold the Ciudad de Murcia “franchise”, which would become the ill-fated Granada 74, it’s alleged that part of the payment terms from the new owner wasn’t met. The new owners also owned the Granada 92 complex and it’s believed that Quique Pina is now attempting to legally seize the site, in lieu of the outstanding debts.

Currently the first team trains at four different sites around the city, none of which the club owns or leases long-term. Clearly it’s vital that the club establishes the best training facilities for the first team, but also to ensure that every level of the club’s cantera benefits from such facilities.

Following the “Udinese Model” of investment in players, to develop for the first team, or to sell for profit, a new state of the art training complex will be one of the final pieces of the jigsaw puzzle for the club, along with aims for a new stadium.

In tandem with their own ties with Udinese, the club has quickly formed its own ties. Fifteen players are currently “on loan” at Segunda B4 team Cádiz CF, whilst Quique Pina has installed his father to oversee the revitalisation of another club that once graced the Primera. More local ties have also been strengthened, with Granada tying up affiliate deals with CD Santa Fe for first option on youth players, from a side that also plays in División de Honor. Most recently, Quique Pina has also signed an affiliate deal with Costa Tropical side Motril CF.

Motril on Granada’s Costa Tropical coastline, is a town that has produced numerous talented players over the years. Most notably in recent years though, are José Callejón of Real Madrid and his twin brother Juanmi, also formerly at Real Madrid and now with Hércules. Ties like these will help to ensure that Granada CF can quickly find and secure the best local talent.

Over a period of less than three years, it’s impressive to see a club develop its infrastructure, affiliate network and scouting so quickly, to ensure that from top to bottom, the long term future looks very bright indeed.




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