Patrick Lefevere lashes out at UAE manager Matxin: "It's boastful behavior"

Patrick Lefevere uses remarkably strong language in his weekly column in Het Nieuwsblad about Joxean 'Matxin' Fernandez, the sporting director of UAE Emirates XRG. Although Lefevere once took the Spaniard under his wing at his team, the Belgian now criticizes how Matxin is trying to bring Paul Seixas to his squad.

In his column, Lefevere discusses the transfer turmoil surrounding Seixas (Decathlon CMA CGM), who is attracting interest from UAE Emirates and INEOS Grenadiers. "I don't care, as long as he doesn’t end up at UAE Team Emirates. Excusez le mot – or not – but Matxin as Sports Manager is getting a bit too pushy. Signing Seixas when you already have Pogacar is just showing off. You can have the biggest budget in the entire World Tour, but that comes with certain responsibility and ethics," Lefevere states.

Negotiations over Ayuso transfer
The former manager also reveals details about negotiations he had with Matxin regarding a possible transfer of Juan Ayuso. Matxin has forgotten his roots. "He was out of the picture at Saunier-Duval when I brought him into Quick Step as a scout. The problem is he only shows gratitude in words until I ask for a favor. I inquired with him about Ayuso’s transfer conditions when he was stuck at UAE. That was off the table, the buyout sum was 28 million euros. A year later, Ayuso is riding for Lidl-Trek. It’s quite possible they had deeper pockets than I did, but I’m certain they didn't pay 28 million either. A bit more goodwill toward me would have suited Matxin."

Finally, he is also critical of the role of rider agents. "They play the game much more aggressively than before. Now these are agencies with five or six representatives all eager to score and constantly promoting their riders on the market. Maybe journalists are harder to find scoops, but leaks are also made intentionally to drive up prices. Wild shooting around like Clint Eastwood, for a few dollars more. Which agent still cares about career planning for their rider? It’s worrying when a nineteen-year-old rider believes he can be Pogacar’s successor at UAE. Pogacar himself is barely 27. An agent trying to sell that story to their rider deserves a professional ban," concludes the West Flemishman.