Sarabia's Love Affair with Elche: 'This is Where I Want to Be'
Eder Sarabia reflects on Elche's remarkable 2025, their promotion success, and why the Martinez Valero has become his spiritual home ahead of Rayo clash.
Sarabia Feeling Right at Home as Elche’s Fairy Tale Continues
In a season where Elche have been pulling up trees in La Liga following their promotion, manager Eder Sarabia has made it crystal clear he’s found his spiritual home in the southeast of Spain.
Speaking ahead of Sunday’s clash with Rayo Vallecano, the Bilbao-born tactician couldn’t hide his affection for the club that’s exceeding all expectations in the 2025-26 campaign.
“I feel that in Elche I’m in my place, where I want to be,” Sarabia declared with the sort of conviction that’ll have Elche supporters purring. It’s been a proper love affair between manager and club since his arrival, with the promotion to Primera División being just the beginning of what looks like an exciting project.
Ending 2025 on a High
With Rayo visiting the Martínez Valero on Sunday (18:30), Sarabia is desperate to cap off what he called “this historic 2025” with another three points. The gaffer’s been absolutely buzzing about the connection between fans and players, crediting the electric atmosphere at home games for their impressive results.
“The energy and climate generated at the Martínez Valero is what has made us win so many games,” he explained, clearly valuing the 12th man more than my mate values his season ticket at the Emirates – and that’s saying something!
Sarabia’s expecting a proper Bobby Dazzler of a match against Rayo, promising an open, attacking affair that should have neutrals reaching for the remote.
Managing Expectations and Rising Stars
The boss also addressed the recent dip in form from wonderkid Rodrigo Mendoza, taking the pressure off the youngster who’s gone from relative unknown in Segunda to one of Europe’s hottest prospects in record time.
“It’s not worrying, he lacks freshness and finesse but it’s part of the process,” Sarabia reasoned, showing the sort of man-management skills that have helped transform this Elche side.
On the injury front, Grady Diang and André Da Silva remain sidelined for the weekend’s fixture.
Cup Dreams and Realistic Goals
While securing top-flight survival would be “a huge success” according to Sarabia, there’s a refreshing ambition about this Elche team that refuses to set limits. Fresh off a Copa del Rey victory against Eibar in a round filled with giant-killings, Sarabia’s not afraid to dream big.
“We’re going for it because we don’t feel inferior to anyone and we’ve proven that,” he insisted, before adding with a smile that “a Cup final would be nice” – a comment that surely had the Elche faithful reaching for the Barnet Fair.
For a club that’s writing its own fairytale, Sarabia seems the perfect author to pen the next chapter. Sunday’s clash with Rayo offers another opportunity to show that Elche’s remarkable rise is no flash in the pan.