Madrid C's rescue mission: Early bird Víctor Cea brought in to save sinking ship
Real Madrid have appointed Víctor Cea as new Madrid C coach, tasking the former Aspire Academy man with saving the struggling third team from relegation.
Real Madrid have turned to managerial talent Víctor Cea to rescue their C team from the relegation doghouse, with the 41-year-old known for his crack-of-dawn work ethic and previous brushes with Barcelona.
Crisis at Valdebebas
While all eyes were on Arbeloa replacing Xabi Alonso in the coaching merry-go-round, another significant dugout change happened at Valdebebas this week. Madrid C, currently languishing in 15th place and six points from safety after a dismal run of eight matches without a win, have parted ways with Joselu Sánchez (who remains at the club as assistant to Álvaro López with Juvenil A).
Cea begins his rescue mission today at 5:30pm against Orihuela at Real Madrid City, tasked with ending a proper mare of a sequence that’s seen the team collect just three points from a possible 24.
The new gaffer’s pedigree
The San Sebastián de los Reyes native brings an interesting CV to the table:
- Cut his managerial teeth at Alcobendas and Sanse B before his breakthrough at Adarve
- Led Adarve to promotion to Segunda B and then secured survival the following season
- Caught the attention of Qatar’s prestigious Aspire Academy who snapped him up
- Managed Cultura Leonesa against Ernesto Valverde’s Barcelona in the 2018-19 Copa del Rey (losing 1-0 at home and 4-1 at Camp Nou)
- Achieved promotion to Primera Federación with Talavera
- Came within a whisker of another promotion with UCAM Murcia, falling just one goal short against Atlético B
Early bird gets the coaching job
After his stint with Espanyol B last season, Cea turned down several mid-table Primera Federación offers this summer, holding out for something special – which arrived in the form of Madrid’s call.
What makes him stand out is his dedication to the early shift. During his time at Espanyol’s Dani Jarque training complex, he became famous for being first through the gates each morning, often opening up the facilities himself. Proper dedication, that.
In a curious twist of fate, his arrival at Valdebebas reunites him with Marcos Jiménez, current Juvenil B coach and former assistant to Raúl with Castilla. The pair have faced off six times previously as managers, with the head-to-head perfectly balanced at three wins apiece.