Almería back Rubi despite alarming slump in form
The Segunda División promotion hopefuls have won just once in five matches but the club hierarchy remains firmly behind their manager despite growing fan discontent.
Almería’s top brass are standing by their man Rubi, despite a concerning dip in form that’s got supporters reaching for the panic button.
Faith in the gaffer remains
One win in five. Two victories from seven. However you slice it, Almería’s recent form has been proper pants for a side with their sights set on promotion to La Liga. The football’s gone stale, possession play has lost its spark, and the team’s been in freefall for over a month with performances getting worse rather than better.
But MARCA reports that despite sharing fans’ frustrations, the Almería hierarchy believes Rubi has the experience and capability to turn things around. The club’s top dogs are backing their manager and providing stability despite the woeful run stretching back six weeks.
”We’re not Madrid”
The notion of sacking the manager hasn’t even reached the boardroom table. As one senior club source put it, “This isn’t Madrid, where losing three straight means the manager gets the boot.”
The club brass feels that:
- Most Segunda División teams go through rough patches during a season
- New signings and returning injured players will help change the dynamic
- The team remains just two points off automatic promotion
- There’s no evidence of dressing room unrest or Rubi losing control
The Almería decision-makers reckon that binning a figure of Rubi’s stature - with his experience and significance in the club’s history - would require a truly dire situation. They don’t believe they’re there yet.
Contract not an issue
Interestingly, the club has denied that Rubi’s hefty contract (reportedly worth around €9 million gross until 2027) would prevent them from giving him the old heave-ho if things went completely pear-shaped.
While no manager has a job for life at Almería, the current thinking is that drastic measures would only be considered if the poor form continues long-term or the situation deteriorates further. For now, they’re backing their man just as they did last season when promotion wasn’t achieved.
With everything still to play for, Rubi’s position appears safe - for the time being, at least.