Funes masterclass has Málaga dreaming of promotion after historic win streak
Málaga's six consecutive victories under Juanfran Funes have catapulted them into promotion contention, with the gaffer setting records not seen since the 1940s.
Málaga are enjoying a purple patch that’s got the Costa del Sol buzzing with promotion talk, as Juanfran Funes continues his remarkable transformation of the club’s fortunes.
Talk about a proper turnaround! The Andalusian outfit are absolutely flying right now, with their weekend victory against Burgos at La Rosaleda marking their sixth consecutive win in Segunda División. That’s 18 points on the bounce, making them the first team in the division this season to string together such an impressive sequence.
Record-breaking numbers
Since Funes took over the reins at Martiricos, Málaga have been absolutely mustard:
- 23 points from a possible 27 in nine league matches
- Six straight victories (a club record in Segunda)
- Potential to break into the automatic promotion spots next matchday
You’d have to go back to the 2021-22 season to find similar form in Spain’s second tier. That campaign saw only Almería (who eventually won the title with 81 points) and Real Oviedo manage six consecutive victories.
Historical perspective
The Burgos result didn’t just extend their winning streak – it cemented Funes’ place in club history as the first Málaga manager to go unbeaten in his first nine league games in charge. That’s some going, especially when you consider he’s surpassed the starts of legendary Málaga gaffers like Antonio Tapia, Joaquín Peiró and Juan Ramón López Muñiz.
For comparable beginnings, you’d need to dust off the history books and travel back to post-Civil War Spain. In 1940, a certain Pedrín Casabona – a former goalkeeper turned manager – took over Malacitano (as they were then known) and orchestrated eight wins and a draw in his first nine games, hauling the team from second-bottom to third.
The only other comparable start came in 1951 when Antonio Arribas went twelve matches unbeaten after taking charge of CD Málaga.
Promotion prospects
While the league table looks promising, it’s the team’s overall trajectory that has supporters dreaming of a return to La Liga. The vibes around La Rosaleda are absolutely top drawer right now.
As we say in London, Funes has got Málaga playing the kind of football that would make your dog speak Portuguese. If they keep this up, they’ll be laughing all the way to the bank – or rather, all the way to the top division.