Throughout its 115 years of history, the UE Sant Andreu, now in the Second RFEF, has experienced very delicate moments. In 2013 the entity was rescued for the umpteenth time by Manuel Camino, a businessman who has kept the club alive until today. But the history of this century-old entity is about to change forever, or that is the wish of its fans, thanks to Taito Suzuki (Shizuoka, 1978), a multimillionaire Japanese businessman who owns the multinational Taica Corporation. Suzuki inherited an empire created by his father and as a football lover he has sponsored Mallorca in Spain. Now he arrives in the Barcelona neighborhood with his entire entourage to return this club with at least 4,000 members to where it deserves in history.
Commitment
“I would like to generate harmony and unity with the fans. Only then will things turn out well”
Where does your interest in football originate?
I was born in Shizuoka, which is the most soccer-loving region in Japan. At school I have always played it and as an adult football has given me opportunities to enjoy it and what I want is to give back what it has given me.
Why did your sponsorship with Mallorca begin?
It was a coincidence. I watched a game of the Japanese team that lost against Spain in the Olympic Games and I saw Kubo crying with rage. There I heard news that Mallorca did not have sponsorship on the shirt. Seeing that image of Kubo I thought that I wanted to help Japanese players succeed in Spain.
Have you had other experiences in football with your companies?
I was a sponsor with my company of the club in my city, the Shimizu S-Pulse of the Japanese league, (current champion of the Japanese Second League), and also of Xuo University.
At the beginning of the season, a sponsorship of Sant Andreu was announced. Why are you taking this step now and not before?
The purchase of the club requires both parties. Mr. Camino had his times and I had to understand more the positive and not so positive things about the club, economically, structurally…
Do you have any agreements planned with teams from Japan to bring players from your country?
I can’t say I don’t think about that, those possibilities will exist. But our goal is not to bring Japanese players here. Yes, the Japanese player we can propose can help the perfect team, but the team’s needs and objectives must always take precedence.
Facilities
“We want the project to benefit the Sant Andreu neighborhood”
What did you like about Sant Andreu?
When I came for the first time in April, I was struck by the passion and values it represents and also by the team’s football proposal.
On a sporting level, what goals do you set?
I am the first one who would like to experience a promotion with Sant Andreu. That is always happiness for everyone. And I would like to go to First RFEF, Second, First… but we have to have our feet on the ground. First we have to know what needs to be improved and how we can stabilize the club. It is a long-term project, a long-distance race, and we cannot let ourselves be carried away by emotions to do things well.
But where do you want to place Sant Andreu?
The maximum ambition is for the team to reach the professional categories. It is a process and we will work so that we can arrive one day. We will not say when or how, but it is one of the milestones we set for ourselves.
Is the improvement of the club’s facilities planned?
One of the things that shocked me a little when I arrived was that the toilets and changing rooms smelled very bad. I would like to remedy that as soon as possible. For the people who come to the stadium and for the players it is an inconvenience.
He has had a meeting with the district councilor to begin a collaboration.
We have already met and that is the intention. We will bet on the first team, but not only that, we want the project to serve so that the Sant Andreu neighborhood benefits in some way,
Apart from the sports business, do you have any other investments planned in Barcelona by your company?
I am convinced that starting this project opens doors, new connections and opportunities.
Unlike the Premier, foreign ownership in Spain has not been all positive. How involved are you?
Assessing an involvement is difficult to measure, but when we decided as a group to support this project there were risks, but I wanted to come work with the people of the club. Understand the history and meet the fans. And then with that harmony create unity. Only then will it work. We want things to go well.
But do you understand people’s doubts?
I also have my fears about how it will go. But in my experience, fear and insecurity lead nowhere. That’s not going to give you any results. I am aware that the club has a lot of value for the people of Sant Andreu and I want to see how I can help this project grow. The identity of the club and the neighborhood is very important, but the stages change and if any changes have to be made there will always be a debate to see how to move forward.
How important will the economic investment be?
We have to improve many aspects. In the sporting part I can’t say what we will do. We will talk to David (David Mordillo is the club’s general director), he is the one who best knows the team’s needs.
Who will run the day-to-day life of the club?
We will create a management team so that there is permanent communication with me and my people.
In his first week he experienced a very intense derby.
I didn’t imagine everything I’ve experienced, it has exceeded my expectations. I leave with the feeling that this derby is more than a football match.
How do you evaluate what happened on Sunday?
There were no serious injuries, and this is the most important thing. Also that the facilities could be up to par with the match. We, like Sant Andreu, have already begun to review the protocol and what could be dangerous for this type of situation.
Do you think the suspension was appropriate?
I think that for everyone’s safety it was the right decision.
What did he say to the fans in the background?
I wanted to worry about them, since they are a fundamental part of this club, and if there were anyone injured.
Will you come to Barcelona a lot?
I have my obligations in Japan and if I come too much it may hinder the day-to-day life of the club, but I would like to be in the important games, like the derby.
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