Markel Zubizarreta: "It has been a real pleasure, I have felt very, very comfortable during these months".

Markel Zubizarreta said goodbye today, Friday 28 June, at the Ciudad del Fútbol in Las Rozas. He is leaving his position as RFEF director of women's football to embark on a new path. "It has been a difficult and very complex decision. An ideal proposal from the world of club football also means I will also be able to dedicate more time to my family and professional life".

Markel Zubizarreta, visibly moved, showed his more human and softer side. "I am the son of a sportsman and that is why I have a special empathy with my children, being close to them and participating in their day-to-day lives. When you get an offer like this, you can't say no".

The former director of women's football at the RFEF has also expressed his "gratitude to the Federation for their understanding in making this decision". "Many times when you talk about feelings, people don't understand them and I have found all the understanding in the Federation", he emphasised.

As well as thanking the Federation for his time at the Federation, he praised the "great professionals" he has met in all departments. "It has been a real pleasure to meet such classy people, on a personal and professional level, people who are worth their weight in gold and are great professionals". 

He acknowledged that "it is not the perfect time", as he would have liked, "but things happen when they happen and often the lives of clubs and those of the Federation and the national team do not fit in the calendar". With the Senior team's participation for the Olympic Games just around the corner, Markel Zubizarreta wished them all the luck in the world. "I hope they enjoy it, although knowing them, they are working very hard to compete and do their best. The players and coaching staff are fully focused on their future as a team, beyond my departure".

He says goodbye because of "an offer that could not be refused due to his family situation and personal development" for the sake of his two young children and his partner, and satisfied with his work during these months, sure that in the future the results of his work will be visible: "I am tremendously grateful to Pedro Rocha, as president of the RFEF, and to Rafa del Amor, for having considered me".