Manu Torres has played down the departure of defender Dani Almazan and a high-profile departure from the East, saying the changes are “pains in the process” of his quest to develop a winning team.
Announcing his contract was not renewed after three years at the club, popular midfielder Almazan posted on Instagram that “some people had made it their mission to break up … the real family in the dressing room”. He also removed head coach Torres from the list of six coaches he thanked “for pushing me and helping me grow”.
Right-back Calum Hall, Hong Kong striker Manuel Bleda, goalkeeper Liu Fu-yuen and Wong Tsz-ho, a 32-year-old left-back who has been with Eastern for 16 years, will also be released this summer. The South China Morning Post has been told that it was the club’s decision to move the players, but Torres is ready to make the adjustment.
“It happens, sometimes you have to rebuild the group, you bring in some players and others go out,” Torres said, after his team lost an entertaining game against Tai Po 4-2 on Saturday.
“We are planning for next season and there must be changes, it is very simple. Cristiano Ronaldo left Real Madrid, and Lionel Messi left Barcelona. This is the one who lives. It is important.”
Torres said he had not seen fellow Spaniard Almazan’s social media post, and did not know if he was the target of the player’s accusations.
