Chapter 138: A Pleasant Surprise
On June 30, after Mallorca's 3-2 victory over Real Zaragoza, securing the club's first-ever Copa del Rey, the 2000-2001 Spanish football season officially came to an end—the first season of the new century was over.
Upon their return to Mallorca, the entire team received a hero's welcome, an even grander reception than when they won the UEFA Cup last year. Back then, José's back injury meant he had to be carried off the plane on a stretcher, which drew more attention than the victory itself, somewhat overshadowing the joy of winning the UEFA Cup. But this time, things were different.
Thousands of Mallorca fans lined up outside the airport, waiting to welcome their team home. As the squad boarded the team bus, the celebrations erupted into a frenzy. Fans chanted the players' names, especially José's, expressing their overwhelming joy.
The players were equally ecstatic. Despite the exhaustion from a long and grueling season, they no longer cared about fatigue at this moment—all they wanted was to celebrate properly before heading off for a well-deserved holiday.
While players from other leagues had been on break for nearly a month, and even other La Liga teams had been resting for ten days, Mallorca's season had just wrapped up. It was undoubtedly tough on them, so José granted the team a full month off. They only needed to report back on August 1—less time off than some clubs, but still a reasonable break.
This was made possible by their own hard work—finishing in the top two meant they had secured direct qualification for the Champions League group stage, avoiding the need for qualifiers. The first round of La Liga was scheduled for August 26, and José planned to use the Spanish Super Cup as a testing ground for tactics rather than pushing his players into an immediate high-stakes competition. Giving them proper rest now would benefit their performance in the coming season.
José also needed to start planning ahead—Mallorca was about to enter the Champions League for the first time, and he knew how crucial their performance in the tournament would be. Beyond the financial rewards, a strong showing in the Champions League would enhance the club's reputation and appeal, something José valued even more.
To succeed in Europe, the team needed better players, which meant investing in new signings and spending in the transfer market.
However, José wasn't too worried about this. Mallorca already had several promising players, and the squad didn't have any major weaknesses. While some departures were possible in the summer, key players were unlikely to leave—José wouldn't let them go.