Almería in freefall as Rubi clings to job amid disastrous run
From promotion hopefuls to crisis club in two months - Almería's shocking decline has left manager Rubi on the brink despite having one of Segunda División's strongest squads.
Once considered promotion certainties with their star-studded squad, Almería are now in complete disarray after two months of dreadful performances that have left manager Rubi fighting for his job.
The shocking numbers
The statistics paint a grim picture for the Andalusian outfit:
- Just 8 points from their last 27 available
- Only 2 wins in 9 matches
- Winless in their last 3 games
- 33 goals conceded in 23 matches (4 more than at this stage last season)
After looking nailed-on for automatic promotion earlier in the campaign, Almería now find themselves clinging to sixth place with 36 points. While they’re still only three points off second-placed Castellón, the chasing pack is breathing down their necks with Sporting (36), Córdoba and Burgos (35), and Cádiz (34) all within striking distance.
What’s gone wrong?
The collapse is particularly baffling given Almería boast one of the division’s strongest squads. They underwent significant summer renovation and splashed more cash in the January window on quality reinforcements.
The injury excuse has worn thin, and now deeper problems are evident:
- Defensive disorganization becoming a regular feature
- Midfield ineffectiveness allowing opponents to dominate
- Attack creating virtually nothing in recent matches
Rubi losing the plot… and the dressing room?
The Catalan manager’s recent press conferences have only fueled supporter frustration. His post-match comments after the Eibar defeat were particularly tone-deaf, claiming Almería “deserved a draw” when they were comprehensively outplayed.
When your gaffer’s saying he knows what’s wrong but the team keeps getting worse, something’s seriously Adam Ant (can’t). Either his diagnosis is wrong or his treatment isn’t working - probably both if we’re being honest.
The brilliant Almería side from October and November has vanished, and despite Rubi’s historical importance to the club, patience is wearing dangerously thin.
What next?
Club leadership is maintaining calm for now, with no immediate plans for dismissal. However, failure to beat Ceuta at home next Sunday could be the final nail in Rubi’s coffin, forcing the board into drastic action.
For a team that should be challenging for automatic promotion, this collapse is nothing short of embarrassing. The Almería faithful have seen this movie before - promising starts fading into mediocrity - and they’re sick to the back teeth of it.