Last Chance Saloon for Beñat San José at Eibar
Eibar boss faces potential sacking if he fails to beat Valladolid in crucial relegation six-pointer before the winter break.
Last Chance Saloon for Beñat San José at Eibar
The Basque manager could be shown the door if his struggling Eibar side don’t pick up three points against Valladolid in Friday’s final match of 2025.
Crisis Point at Ipurua
It’s been a proper year of ups and downs for Eibar, and now they find themselves in a right old pickle as Christmas approaches. The club that once prided itself on managerial stability – going 15 years without sacking a coach mid-season – is now staring down the barrel of potentially binning their second gaffer in just 10 months.
Beñat San José, who took over from Joseba Etxeberria back in February to steer the club away from danger, now finds himself in the hot seat for all the wrong reasons. The Donostia-born coach has overseen a shocking run of form that has the armeros flirting with relegation.
The Numbers Don’t Lie
San José’s overall record isn’t actually that dire when you look at the big picture:
- 33 league matches in charge
- 43 points accumulated (10W, 13D, 10L)
- Enough to secure safety in normal circumstances
But here’s where it gets dicey – Eibar have managed just one solitary win in their last 12 matches. For a club that’s spent the last three seasons knocking on the door of promotion, this dramatic decline has been painful to watch.
Friday Showdown
The visit of Valladolid represents more than just the final fixture of 2025 – it’s potentially San José’s last stand. Club directors appear ready to use the two-week winter break to make changes if results don’t improve immediately.
A defeat or even a draw would see Eibar ring in the New Year in the relegation zone, a far cry from their recent ambitions of returning to La Liga. The board would likely use the festive period to find a new manager rather than toasting San José’s health.
Identity Crisis
Perhaps the most concerning aspect of Eibar’s struggles is the complete shift in expectations. After three consecutive seasons where promotion seemed within touching distance, they’re now desperately scrapping to avoid the drop to the third tier.
Goals have been as rare as hen’s teeth, and the team’s confidence looks completely shot. What was once a fortress at Ipurua now feels more like a house of cards.
Friday’s match isn’t just about three points – it’s about whether San José gets to keep his Christmas job or if he’ll be down the apples and pears before 2026 even begins.