Funes Brings Sunshine Back to Málaga's Season
New manager Juanfran Funes has transformed Málaga CF's fortunes in less than a month, collecting 8 points from 12 and implementing a tactical revolution at La Rosaleda.
Funes Brings Sunshine Back to Málaga’s Season
In less than a month, Juanfran Funes has flipped Málaga’s season on its head, breathing new life into a club that was desperately searching for direction.
The Turnaround
You’d have to go all the way back to Joaquín Peiró in the 1998-99 season to find a manager who made such an impressive start at Málaga. Funes has bagged 8 points from a possible 12, with two victories against Mirandés and Albacete, plus respectable draws against promotion candidates Valladolid and Zaragoza.
The numbers tell only half the story. What’s truly remarkable is how quickly Funes has changed the atmosphere around La Rosaleda after replacing Sergio Pellicer, whose tenure had become increasingly stale. Despite initial skepticism from supporters when he was appointed, Funes has won over the doubters with results and a clear tactical identity.
Tactical Revolution
While defensive frailties remain (Rome wasn’t built in a day, as they say), Funes has implemented significant changes in just three weeks:
- Bold build-up play: Málaga now play out from the back with conviction, sometimes taking risks but creating a more fluid attacking structure
- Consistent selection: Remarkably, Funes has used virtually the same starting XI across all four league matches – a welcome change from Pellicer’s constant rotation
- Tactical tweaks: Dani Lorenzo has been moved to an advanced midfield role where he’s flourishing as the team’s creative hub
- Defensive reshuffle: Ángel Recio, originally fifth-choice center-back in summer planning, has established himself in the heart of defense
- Adrián Niño’s return: The striker’s four goals have been absolutely crucial to Málaga’s revival
Building Stability
Perhaps most impressive is how Funes has created stability. Málaga hadn’t gone four league games unbeaten since the start of the season, and now players appear more settled without the constant rotation that reportedly caused discontent under the previous regime.
After their victory at Albacete, Funes was keeping his feet firmly on the terra firma, telling supporters: “We need to transmit stability, which helps us not to relax in good moments or beat ourselves up in bad ones.”
With Almería up next, Málaga fans can finally look up the table rather than down it. If Funes continues this trajectory, they’ll be in with a shout of promotion rather than facing another season of disappointment. For the first time in ages, the sun is shining on the Costa del Sol club.