Oviedo Eyeing Almada Raid: Valladolid Boss Could Jump Ship
Real Oviedo target Guillermo Almada as their new manager following Carrión's dismissal, with the club willing to pay compensation to lure the Uruguayan from Valladolid.
Valladolid’s Almada Could Swap Dugouts in Shock Segunda Move
In a twist that’s proper mental even by Spanish football standards, Real Oviedo have identified Valladolid’s Guillermo Almada as their top target to replace the recently sacked Luis Miguel Carrión. The Asturian club aren’t mucking about, having already made contact with both the Uruguayan gaffer and his current employers.
The timing couldn’t be more interesting. Almada, who only joined Valladolid last summer, faced the wrath of his own supporters during Saturday’s defeat to Andorra, with sections of the José Zorrilla crowd giving it the old “Guillermo Almada, vete ya” (“Almada, leave now”). Talk about reading the room!
The Nitty Gritty
Oviedo’s pursuit isn’t as straightforward as it might seem, mind:
- They’ll need to cough up the readies for Almada’s release clause
- The Uruguayan’s contract apparently only allows a free departure for the Uruguay national team job
- Sources close to the manager have reportedly warned him about the respective situations at both clubs
It’s the classic football dilemma - better to be a big fish in a small pond or a small fish in a slightly bigger pond? Or as they might say in the Spanish equivalent, “¿Será cabeza de ratón o cola de león?” (Will he be the head of a mouse or the tail of a lion?)
What Next?
All signs point to this one moving quickly. Oviedo clearly fancy Almada as the perfect candidate to take over at the Carlos Tartiere, while Valladolid supporters might not exactly be devastated to see the back of him after recent performances.
For a manager who only arrived in the summer, it would be a swift exit from Valladolid, but the beautiful game moves at a thousand miles an hour these days. One minute you’re signing contracts, the next you’re being shown the door - or in this case, potentially choosing to scarper through it yourself.
Expect developments in the next few hours as Oviedo look to get their man and Valladolid potentially prepare for yet another managerial search.