Funes Lands on His Feet at Málaga, Breathing New Life into Promotion Hopes
Former youth coach Juanfran Funes has transformed Málaga CF's fortunes with 11 points from 15 since replacing Pellicer, making them one of Segunda División's form teams.
Eyebrows were raised when Málaga’s youth team coach stepped up to replace Sergio Pellicer, but Juanfran Funes has quickly silenced the doubters with a remarkable turnaround at La Rosaleda.
From Skepticism to Belief
When Funes made the leap from the reserves, many supporters had the ‘right hump’ about sporting director Loren’s decision. Five matches later, the atmosphere around Málaga has transformed completely - renewed hope, solid results, and a team clearly on the up.
The numbers speak for themselves:
- 3 wins, 2 draws (11 points from 15 possible)
- Third-best team in Segunda División since his appointment
- If the league had started when he took over, they’d be in the promotion spots
Finding Their Scoring Boots
Perhaps most impressive is the attacking transformation under the Granada-born manager. Málaga have notched 10 goals in just five matches - a remarkable improvement considering they managed only 16 in their previous 14 fixtures under Pellicer.
Funes’ debut couldn’t have gone better, securing a dramatic stoppage-time victory against Mirandés. This was followed by a solid away point at promotion-chasing Real Valladolid at the tricky Zorrilla stadium.
Minor Blip Before Resurgence
The only slight disappointment came at La Rosaleda against Real Zaragoza, where a late penalty denied them another win. This came on the heels of a Copa del Rey upset at Talavera - potentially the only real ‘Barney Rubble’ in Funes’ tenure so far.
However, the response has been emphatic:
- A convincing win at Albacete
- A statement victory against promotion favourites Almería to close out 2025
Form Table Doesn’t Lie
Málaga’s 11 points from their last five matches puts them level with table-toppers Racing Santander over that period, and just one point behind Castellón, despite the latter’s recent defeat. Their next opponents, Sporting Gijón, sit just behind with 10 points from their last five.
Key Player Revivals
While they’re yet to keep a clean sheet under Funes, the attacking improvements have more than compensated. Several players have been rejuvenated, with Dani Lorenzo and Adrián Niño particularly benefiting from the new manager’s approach.
Goalkeeper Alfonso Herrero has also rediscovered his best form, with crucial saves against Valladolid, Albacete and Almería proving vital. It seems Funes has brought not just tactical improvements but also a change in fortune for a Málaga side now looking upwards rather than over their shoulders.