Piqué Optimistic on FC Andorra's Playoff Push After Strong Late Surge

Gerard Piqué, majority shareholder of FC Andorra, has conducted his first interviews with Andorran media after seven and a half years at the helm, sharing optimism about the team's late-season surge toward a Segunda División playoff spot and growing local embrace of the club.

With five matches remaining, including a key home fixture against Albacete this Friday, the side has secured survival—their primary target—and boasts a strong run of 26 points from the last 33 possible. Piqué highlighted the squad's high-level play at home and away, positioning them among the division's top teams and on pace to exceed the 59 points from their professional debut. "We're in a very sweet moment," he said, noting the young roster's adaptation after an early slump and a mid-season mutual parting with coach Ibai Gómez following a 10-game dip. Gómez retains his praise as a future top coach, but the current staff has sparked a turnaround.

Piqué leads the technical group without formal credentials, drawing on his experience to build player confidence alongside public face Carles Manso, fitness expert Aitor Yeto, goalkeeper coach Dani Ortiz, and analyst Franco Gross. Core players like Diego Alende, Josep Cerdà, Sergio Molina, Dani Villahermosa, and Martí Vilà provide continuity from prior seasons, joined by Primera RFEF arrivals including Carrique, Gael Alonso, and Marc Domènech. Standouts such as Owono in goal have risen lately. No sales are planned, with promotion seen as more valuable than transfers; clauses would be respected if players push to leave.

Institutional ties have strengthened, with Piqué crediting sports minister Maria Czajkowski, Encamp's Laura Mas, Andorra la Vella's consul, and ongoing talks with the Andorran Football Federation (FAF) for a multi-year Encamp stadium deal beyond annual renewals. Renting the 5,000-6,000 capacity venue limits pitch upgrades, unlike municipal support for other Segunda sides, but he views it as workable—even for La Liga, like SD Eibar. Improvements like covered stands and UEFA Hat-Trick funding could boost attendance amid Andorra's weather, where open sections deter fans despite rising support.

Piqué feels fully at home, thrilled by Catalan-speaking fans' appreciation and his new apartment in the Principat. Early cultural misunderstandings have given way to integration, with the club promoting Andorra's image beyond tax stereotypes. He dismissed coaching licenses or Barcelona presidency ambitions, prioritizing FC Andorra's ascent. A reserve team, possibly via CE Manresa, remains in discussion to bridge youth and senior levels. Piqué lamented the National Stadium's decline after past investments but stressed collaboration in the small nation, while expressing hope for the ACB-struggling basketball side.