Malaga Dressing Room Backs Funes Arrival: 'Perhaps We Needed a Change'
After Pellicer's departure, Malaga players open up about the coaching transition and how Funes has sparked their recent good form in Segunda División.
Malaga Players Break Silence on Manager Switch
The Malaga dressing room has finally spoken about the managerial change that saw Sergio Pellicer depart and Funes take the reins - with several squad members suggesting the shake-up might have been just what the doctor ordered for the Costa del Sol outfit.
In a rare media day to close out 2025, eight Malaga players including Alfonso Herrero, Carlos Puga, and David Larrubia spoke candidly about the transition and the club’s improved form under new leadership.
Mixed Emotions on Pellicer’s Exit
The prevailing sentiment among the squad was one of respect for their former gaffer, despite acknowledging that perhaps his time had run its course. Carlos Puga, who spent two years under Pellicer, was particularly emotional:
“A manager change isn’t good for anyone,” Puga explained, before noting that Pellicer “always looked out for us.”
The right-back pointed to bad luck with injuries and late goals conceded as factors that worked against the former manager, but conceded that “perhaps a change was needed.”
The Funes Effect
Many in the squad were already familiar with Funes’s methods, which seems to have eased the transition:
- David Larrubia, fresh off scoring against Albacete, mentioned the squad is “quite happy with the new boss”
- Chupete, who’s found his scoring boots under Funes after being given his professional chance by Pellicer, noted his familiarity with the new manager from their time together in the B team
- The general consensus suggests Funes’s arrival has coincided with an uptick in form and confidence
Behind the Scenes: The Assistant’s Departure
Interestingly, the article also sheds light on why Pellicer’s long-time assistant Manolo Sánchez left in July 2025, months before Pellicer himself was shown the door. Speaking to Radio MARCA Málaga, the current CD Estepona manager revealed:
“There was a lot of wear and tear. Both of us are very obsessive about our work… Before things ended badly, we thanked each other for everything, shared a big hug, and I left the club of my life.”
The candid admission suggests internal dynamics had been strained for some time before the eventual managerial change.
What’s Next?
With results improving under Funes and the dressing room seemingly united behind him, Málaga appears to be finding stability after what could have been a turbulent transition. The squad’s honest assessment suggests they’re looking forward rather than back - exactly the approach needed as they aim to climb the Segunda División table.