Joan Carrillo exclusive interview: Family and football are my life

My biggest problem with all of this is that there isn't sufficient information from the two sides. There are no such problems here in Hungary, as all of its citizens learn Hungarian. Things are different back home. I was born in Catalonia for example, and learned the Catalan language in my school, so it was a normal thing for me in life that I consider myself to be Catalan. However, this never meant a problem to me to go out and work in areas outside of Catalan in Spain. I can honestly say that I cannot see any opposites between Spanish and Catalan people. For some groups it is important for their own reasons to blow this situation up to make a bigger problem out of it than what it is all really about. I will repeat that the biggest problem is that people do not have suitable information at their disposal. I cannot imagine, nor would there be any value to the fact of both Barcelona and Espanyol both not playing in the Spanish league in the event of Catalonia becoming independent. Perhaps those news items that have reached Hungary are very minimal, with the majority of people inside Spain itself not being totally clear with the situation. However, this whole story should not be of any impact on the sporting life.

- How much has your life changed over the last four months, since you have been head coach?

Naturally this has meant a massive change in a person’s life. My responsibility has increased a lot, primarily because I am responsible for the team's performance. My family can also feel the change, as I now have much more things to do around the team than I had until now. My wife and kids have fully supported me, which means a lot to me. Everyone helps me with my work at Vidi, the coaching staff and office staff, so really everyone and this gives me great pleasure within. Everybody has the same aim, which is to make the club as successful as possible. As a person, I feel that I have not changed at all since becoming manager. My style and habits are the same since before and I do not feel that a person needs to change just because they are in a position of responsibility. 

- You have been working within Hungarian football for three years now. You know the other first division sides well. What is your relationship with your fellow managers in the division? Have you ever come across another manager who has surprised you during a match with a sudden tactical change?

I feel that I can calmly say that I enjoy a good relationship with all of my fellow managers. It is a real surprise that I have not yet come across this, as perhaps one of the reasons could be that when you prepare to face opponents, then I also prepare a little about the opponents head coach. I believe that this is the only way that you can work together in a league like this, if we all help each other. I am not talking here about friendships, but rather the professional itself.

- If you sit at home and watch a football league match from another country, let's say the Bundesliga, are you able to switch off and watch the match with a glass of beer in your hand, like the majority of people, or do you have your notebook next to you, and make notes of the tactical elements on the pitch? 

I only really watch football on TV, and several times I will watch a joint family program, as my wife and kids sit next to me. This is my life, so I cannot look at a match without watching it from a professional view.

- We are doing very well in the domestic championship, dominating matches, and going out in games to attack. Hopefully we will participate on the international stage next summer, and as we experienced back in 2012, we can only be successful in European matches if we place great emphasis on the defending. Are we prepared to apply different tactics against a side that is stronger than our own? 

With regards to the international cups, I have to say that there are those teams that are better off financially, and they have to always bring results to increase their prestige. I work with players at Videoton that I regard in high esteem, whether it is as humans or from a professional angle. I feel that they are also spiritually prepared for a bigger challenge. However, if we do qualify for European competition, we will have to strengthen our current squad. This does not mean that we need to come off from the road we are currently going down. Everyone needs to produce their maximum, and the supporters need to back the team with the same kind of enthusiasm as they have until now. The players are clear with the fact that playing on the international stage represents a bigger challenge in the playing careers. We will need to achieve such results that will enable Videoton FC to become more recognized, but we need to constantly develop for this. 

- Finally, if you could have a wish - and it could be for anything - what would you wish for?

I feel that in the life of the club, the two most important aspects are the players and the supporters. I would like the players to always perform to their maximum on the pitch, with the supporters being satisfied and proud that they can support the team week after week. We will need them on Sunday at the Sostoi stadium against Debrecen, as we can only be the best together with them!