When Ian Cathro talks about the coming season, he’s not just talking football. The Estoril manager has a unique vision. He wants to make being a “Canary” player truly mean something special. This isn’t just grand ambition; it’s the core idea for the club’s new chapter.
Cathro, the 39-year-old Scottish coach, laid out his plan to Sport TV. He’s looking for more stability at the club. His focus is on daily improvements. This means making the team’s style of play better. It also means helping each player grow on their own. It’s about raising the standard for everyone involved.
Now, about pre-season training? Cathro isn’t its biggest fan. He prefers the thrill of real matches. But he knows it’s a necessary step. It’s the time to build fitness and shape the squad. He understands the transfer market is buzzing right now. Players are coming and going, things are shifting fast. So, staying focused on their own work is key. Still, he admits, pre-season can be a bit of a bore.
And what about players returning from their holidays? Cathro isn’t losing sleep over their fitness levels. He laughs about old ways of thinking. “We’re not in those years anymore,” he said with a grin. He was referring to players who’d drink ten beers a day. Then they’d come back needing a trash bag just to shed the extra pounds. Those days are long gone.
The Canaries’ transfer market remains quite active. New players are still arriving. Midfielder Pizzi’s return to the team stands out. Cathro explained the need for a good mix in the squad. “We want to improve and grow,” he said. “We need balance.” This means blending young talent with experienced minds. They need players with different skills to make the team complete.
This balance is very important for Estoril. They aim to build something unique. That’s why they won’t just get rid of twenty players to sign twenty new ones. Instead, they want to deepen the meaning of being an Estoril player. What exactly does that mean in practice? Cathro simply smiled. “I’ll let people see that on the field,” he finished, ready for the season to begin.