Getafe coach Contra confirms Guangzhou move

MADRID - Getafe coach Cosmin Contra confirmed on Sunday that he is leaving the Madrid based club in order to sign for Chinese side Guangzhou.

The operation will mean Getafe are paid an important sum of money in compensation for the departure of the Rumanian, who earlier in the week had appeared to imply he was only leaving Getafe as the deal would be financially positive for the club.

However, speaking in a press conference alongside Getafe President, Angel Torres following the 2-1 home defeat to Rayo Vallecano on Sunday, Contra was at pains to stress this was not the case.

"I want to thank the President for giving me the chance to coach in the Primera Liga and also the players. I want to make it clear that there has been a story which said I didn't want to leave, but that is not true," said Contra, who had also spent time at the club as a player.

"If I was not excited (at the chance of coaching in China), I would not be leaving," he insisted.

"I am leaving a great club, which has been my home, but I leave with high hopes for a great experience in a new competition which moves a lot of money."

"I am young, I want to work hard and to achieve big things," said Contra.

The Spanish press reports he will earn five times his current salary when he joins Guangzhou, but Contra admitted he hoped to return to Getafe at some stage in the future.

"I have no doubt that I would be delighted to come back to my home and the President (Torres) knows that. If he wants me, we will work together again," he admitted.