Return of the Pepinero King: Borja Jiménez's Emotional Butarque Homecoming
The manager who led Leganés to their first national title and second promotion to La Liga returns to Butarque with Sporting Gijón in a highly anticipated Segunda clash.
The Cucumber King Returns to His Kingdom
This Saturday, Butarque welcomes back one of its most beloved sons as Borja Jiménez returns to the stadium he once called home. The gaffer who masterminded Leganés’ historic championship-winning campaign in LaLiga Hypermotion and secured their second-ever promotion to the top flight now arrives with Sporting Gijón for what promises to be an emotional reunion.
Jiménez joins an elite club of just three managers who’ve earned promotion with Los Pepineros, alongside Luis Ángel Duque (first promotion to Segunda) and Asier Garitano (who brought them back to professional football and achieved their first-ever promotion to La Liga).
More Than Just Trophies
The Ávila-born manager’s tenure at Leganés was truly special beyond the silverware. He arrived during a proper dodgy period - new ownership had just taken over and the squad was in tatters after narrowly avoiding relegation the previous season.
Working alongside Txema Indias, who had a keen eye for recruitment, Jiménez transformed the team, giving them a distinct identity and getting career-best performances from his players. What followed was nothing short of remarkable:
- A championship campaign where they led almost from start to finish
- A promotion that sent the cucumber-loving fans into absolute raptures
- Creating a unique ‘pepinero’ feeling that spread through every neighborhood in Leganés
The Premier League Heartbreak
Despite accumulating a respectable 40 points in their La Liga campaign, it wasn’t quite enough to maintain top-flight status. The relegation was a bitter pill to swallow for everyone involved, but the connection between Jiménez and the supporters remained unbroken.
Even in that painful moment, the Butarque faithful showed their class, giving their manager a send-off that still gives him goosebumps today. As he admits himself, he occasionally watches the video of that emotional farewell.
Saturday’s Showdown
Now leading a Sporting side pushing for promotion themselves, Jiménez faces a proper Adam and Eve (believe) moment. His loyalties on the day will naturally lie with his current employers, but his affection for Leganés remains undimmed.
“My gratitude to the fans is eternal,” he confesses. “I love them madly because they made me feel at home for two years. On Saturday I’ll be a visitor, but Butarque is my home.”
Expect the Butarque faithful to chant his name and honor his legacy - it’s the least they can do for the man who gave them their finest hour. And while he’ll be plotting their downfall on Saturday, there’s no doubt that after the final whistle, he’ll be wishing his former club nothing but success in their push for promotion.