Exclusive Interview with Ramos: Aspiring to Make Every Henan Fan Proud of Their Team

Reporter Lu Mi reports At the Chinese Super League awards ceremony, Ramos received the 2025 CSL Best Coach award. After assuming leadership of Henan, the team accomplished a remarkable comeback in both performance and morale, reviving the squad fans recall as the "team that overcomes all challenges."

Although Ramos felt somewhat disappointed after failing to win the FA Cup, having just returned to Europe, the Best Coach award brought him some consolation—it recognized his half-year’s hard work and the precious journey of his team forging willpower and unity through struggle.

In the 2025 season, Henan’s path to the FA Cup final provided valuable experience, showcasing the team’s resilience and solidarity. Ramos looks forward to continuing the attacking football style, aiming for a higher league standing and pursuing even greater honors.

◆Football Magazine: Reaching the FA Cup final was a valuable experience for Henan. How did your emotions change from when you secured the final spot to actually arriving at the final venue?

Ramos: Traveling from Zhengzhou to Suzhou, with a stop in Shanghai, as we got closer to the final site, I actually felt my workload decrease. Since the weather in Zhengzhou was cold, we decided to start closed training early. During this time, I constantly monitored players’ conditions, evaluating who was in form and considering how to set the lineup.

◆After the league ended, Guoan played in the AFC Champions League 2. Did that match provide you with any useful insights?

Our understanding of Guoan extended beyond recent games; we analyzed their performance over more than a month as reference. We had a clear grasp of their condition and form at that time.

◆The previous two FA Cup knockout rounds involved intense penalty shootouts. Did you consider the possibility of penalties before this final?

Both teams aimed to settle the match in regular time, and we prepared for other scenarios as well. If penalties occurred, we were ready. Ultimately, our goal was always to win the game.

◆You and the club made meticulous preparations for the FA Cup final, including going to Thailand and playing a pre-final match in Shanghai. Did these preparations meet your expectations?

To prepare for the final, we played three warm-up matches: two in Thailand and one against Haigang. The club and first team invested a lot to maintain and boost the squad’s competitive condition, especially helping players with fewer league matches to adapt to the competitive atmosphere and gain experience. Overall, I believe we achieved a satisfactory state.

◆What was your mindset regarding the significance of this match before it started?

Reaching the final was a source of pride for us. Guoan is a traditional powerhouse, and we were the underdogs. Historically, Guoan has won the FA Cup four times, while this was our club’s first final appearance in 31 years—a historic moment. Looking back, we defeated promotion-contending Chongqing Tonglianglong, a strong team, then eliminated Zhejiang, Shanghai Shenhua, and Chengdu Rongcheng—all title contenders. This was a huge affirmation for our team, and we are proud. As fans say, we didn’t lose to the champion but earned runner-up by beating many teams. This season is memorable for the club, fans, and Henan football.

◆What kind of Henan team did you see through this journey?

We set many records this season that hadn’t been achieved before, such as ending the away winless streak against Changchun, defeating Chengdu in both competitions, and advancing through consecutive penalty shootouts in the FA Cup. These successes are built on confidence. Supported by the club and coaching staff, the players’ confidence improved daily. They pushed themselves to improve, trained hard every day, and executed my tactics well. Seeing their dedication, I believe these achievements are well deserved.

◆Before the final, you and the players attended a symphony concert where everyone performed on stage. What did this reflect about the team’s atmosphere before the match?

We used the lively and enthusiastic atmosphere to boost team morale. Despite facing a crucial match in the club’s history, the team maintained a relaxed, joyful, and united environment through sharing fun moments in daily training and organizing various group activities.

◆Football Magazine: Upon arriving in Suzhou and before stepping out of the locker room, what did you say to your players?

Ramos: I told the players to fight for Henan, to be passionate and focused on the pitch, and not to relax until the final whistle. Before leaving the locker room, captain Wang Shangyuan asked, “Is everyone ready?” The answer was a firm yes. For a match like this, players don’t need extra motivation; the team had waited too long for this day.

◆From the start to the middle of the match, the team shifted from being proactive to passive. What issues did you notice during this period?

We felt that Beijing Guoan is indeed very strong. Regardless of their previous league or AFC CL2 form, it was clear in the final that their condition had returned. Guoan controlled more possession, which was unfavorable for us since we also need the ball. Their ability to capitalize on chances was better, something we as newcomers to finals must learn from.

◆During the match, you showed rare emotion. How would you describe your feelings then?

The match unfolded quite differently from our expectations, and the players were anxious on the field. In such circumstances, it was natural for me to get emotional.

◆The team prepared for this match for a long time, but the result was unsatisfactory. After the game, what problems did you identify?

There were several issues. Firstly, the long break between matches affected us. Although we arranged friendlies to maintain rhythm, Guoan kept competitive form through AFC CL2 matches, so their preparation was better. Secondly, both the club and team lacked experience handling some details in such a high-stakes final for the first time.

Reaching the FA Cup final, what have you and the team gained from this process?

We endured the toughest league period together and fought through critical FA Cup rounds side by side. For the players, this was not only valuable big-match experience but also a test and refinement of their mental toughness. They learned to grit their teeth in adversity and adjust their mindset in tight situations. This climb from the bottom is growth no training can replace. Meanwhile, the team’s cohesion and confidence strengthened with every battle. Though we didn’t lift the trophy, the resilience and unity gained will be our strongest foundation moving forward.

◆On match day, many fans came from across the country to Suzhou, cheering louder than sometimes at Henan’s home games. How do you view the fans’ passion for the FA Cup?

Our fans were perfect, supporting us excellently from start to finish, cheering regardless of the score. Their encouragement after the match fuels our drive. We will fight with all our strength for their honor, aiming for greater achievements next season and bringing more joy to the fans.

◆Football Magazine: When you took over, the team was struggling but gradually improved to reach the FA Cup final. What do you think was the biggest change in the team?

Ramos: The biggest changes were in three areas: rebuilding confidence, strengthening team cohesion, and refining tactics. These improvements enabled us to achieve Henan football’s best FA Cup performance. In the league’s second half, the team’s chemistry matured, and results improved noticeably. Finishing fifth in points earned in the second half of the season reflects the simultaneous growth in confidence, unity, and tactical level.

◆With 700 professional league matches coached, how did this experience help you lead Henan’s rise?

The core value of those 700 matches lies in precise in-game decision-making. Throughout my career, I’ve faced countless situations similar to this season’s challenges. This experience allows me to make the best judgments for the team at critical moments, keeping us on the right path. Players, staff, and the whole club rely on this clear guidance, and I take it as my responsibility to be the team’s leader on this journey.

◆You recently renewed your contract with Henan. Could you share how the negotiation went?

My contract renewal with Henan was a mutual decision. Before renewing, I did receive offers from other clubs, some with better financial terms. But what moved me most was Henan’s sincerity and the fans’ unwavering passion and support. This gratitude runs deep. After six months of cooperation, I truly appreciate the club’s professional and healthy management, and I’m pleased fans highly value our passionate style. The mutual achievements and alignment among club, fans, and team strengthened my resolve to stay here and follow my heart.

◆Although you didn’t win the FA Cup, you earned the CSL Best Coach award. What does this award mean to you?

Winning the 2025 Best Coach award belongs to the entire team. It’s the highest recognition of our daily hard work and dedication. I thank the Chinese Football Association for their trust, the Henan football family, all professionals, management, coaches, staff, players, and fans who supported us. Your efforts and faith drive us forward and create this unforgettable journey. This honor marks a new beginning, inspiring us to pursue the next goal. Let’s strive together to achieve even greater glory.

◆Your tactical system is well understood and stable among players. Will you try new styles or changes in future tactical development?

I am confident about the team’s future. Our main direction remains to maintain our attacking style, making fans happy with our results and bringing joy every match. I’m still thinking about optimizing details, which depends on the new players we bring in.

◆What are your views on the development of Henan football? What mark do you hope to leave on this team through your coaching?

I firmly believe Henan should be an indispensable force in Chinese football. Our goals are clear: maintain competitiveness, steadily improve league points, and consistently rank in the CSL’s upper tier; and uphold attacking football to deliver enjoyable matches to fans. I want to leave a deep-rooted "Henan Pride" imprint on this team, so that when people think of Henan, they first imagine a fearless, attacking, iron-willed squad. We have solid strength and ambition to aim higher. This combination enables us to repeatedly pull off upsets and breakthrough under pressure. In the future, I hope Henan becomes a strong team both in results and style, making every Henan fan proud of their club.