Piqué's Andorra: From Heaven to Hell and Back Again
FC Andorra's rollercoaster 2025 season has seen them experience the full spectrum of footballing fortunes in their return to Spain's Segunda División.
FC Andorra’s return to professional football has been nothing short of a divine comedy, with Gerard Piqué’s club experiencing the footballing equivalent of Dante’s masterpiece - albeit with their own unique twist on the journey.
Paradise Found
The Tricolores’ season began in absolute dreamland under rookie manager Ibai Gómez, fresh from guiding Arenas de Getxo to promotion. After a promising pre-season, Andorra stunned everyone with their league start:
- A draw at Las Palmas
- Victory at Real Zaragoza
- A win against Burgos in their first match at their new Nou Estadi de la FAF home
Seven points from nine represented their best-ever start in the second tier. A minor blip at Eibar was quickly forgotten as they bounced back with a draw against Mirandés before consecutive victories over Córdoba and Racing. Incredibly, the minnows found themselves sleeping in third position - absolute scenes!
Purgatory Beckons
A home defeat to Leganés was the first sign of trouble. This setback served as a reality check, highlighting that the smallest details matter at this level. The subsequent hammering at Real Sociedad B and draw against Granada confirmed the team was losing its edge as opponents began figuring them out.
A disastrous performance in Málaga represented the beginning of their descent into footballing hell. Two tepid draws against Cádiz and Huesca followed before hitting rock bottom with consecutive defeats to Albacete and Castellón.
The Inferno
Eight games without a win saw Andorra drop into the relegation zone for the first time, prompting Ibai Gómez to offer his resignation. The club accepted, beginning the search for a successor while emphasizing they wouldn’t rush the appointment - proper job, that.
Piqué Steps In
With the gaffer gone, an interim coaching triumvirate took charge, with Carles Manso as the frontman. Notably, Piqué himself became heavily involved, alongside sporting director Jaume Nogués, attending training sessions and providing hands-on guidance.
The impact was immediate at El Molinón against Sporting Gijón, where despite not winning, the performance level skyrocketed. Though cup elimination and a home defeat to Almería followed, the bread and butter was improving dramatically.
Paradise Regained
After ten league games without victory, Manso’s prediction that the team would soon click proved spot on. Andorra returned to heavenly form with a stunning away win at Real Valladolid followed by a home triumph over Deportivo La Coruña.
The Christmas turkeys are being carved with Andorra sitting pretty in mid-table, six points from the promotion playoffs and three clear of the drop zone. Talk about a right old rollercoaster - from the penthouse to the outhouse and back again!