Jefté says Las Palmas are committed to turning their crisis around

Jefté says the UD Las Palmas dressing room is committed to getting the club out of its sporting crisis. The forward says the squad is still absorbing the ideas of new coach Juan Manuel Rodríguez and is working to reverse its fortunes. “We’re working hard to turn the situation around,” he said, adding that the players’ commitment should not be questioned and would be demonstrated in the coming matches.

Jefté also acknowledged that the team had not found the answer over the first nine matchdays. On Rubén de la Barrera’s departure, he said it was a club decision, while adding that every player felt responsible for the situation. After president Miguel Ángel Ramírez said the veterans had not been performing at the required level, Jefté conceded: “I’m the first.” He called on the whole squad to step up, saying the group had the quality to get through the situation and achieve more.

Jefté also stressed the need to “change our mindset, our momentum and stay united”. He said nothing happened at half-time in the match in Mallorca, despite the team returning to the pitch later than usual.

Juan Manuel Rodríguez will make his touchline debut on Saturday against Castellón at the Estadio de Gran Canaria. Jefté said he does not yet know the coach and is unsure whether the team will regularly use one or two forwards once Jesé recovers from his injury. He added that he is “compatible” with him.