Rubi: 'I'd like to add another promotion with UD Almería to my tally'
The UD Almería head coach reflects on 150 matches and sets sights on achieving a second promotion with the Andalusian Club
Joan Francesc Ferrer Sicilia, better known as Rubi, has cemented his place in UD Almería’s history after celebrating his 150th match as head coach. This milestone makes him the head coach with the most games in the driving seat and the one with the most wins in the Club’s history. During an interview on UDA Radio, the Club’s official station, Rubi discussed his journey with the Andalusian Club and outlined his ambitions for the future.
Rubi, who led the team to promotion to the top flight just as Unai Emery had done before him, remains hungry for more success. Although the Rojiblancos secured a top-flight spot and avoided the drop last season, Rubi is now focused on another promotion. The Catalan expressed his burning desire to secure a second promotion with UD Almería, saying this current campaign is critical to achieving that goal.
Reflecting on his first stint with the Club in the 2020/21 season, Rubi recalled that the team was in a good position for the play-offs but was struggling with inconsistent results. The Club’s new ownership and ambitious project ultimately convinced him to take the job, despite having just 6 fixtures left in the season. Although they fell short of promotion that year, Rubi’s influence helped the team secure their place in top-tier LaLiga the following season, even amid challenges like the Covid-19 pandemic and international tournaments.
Rubi’s tenure at UD Almería also saw the team maintain their LaLiga status, a feat that surprised many, especially after his unexpected decision not to continue after securing survival. The 55-year-old admitted that it was a difficult moment, made even tougher by the timing of the decision. After a year away, Rubi returned to the Club following their relegation to the Segunda, joining forces with his coaching staff to continue the project.
In addition to his leadership, the Vilassar de Mar native has been supported by a dedicated backroom team. His assistants include assistant coach Jaume Torras, conditioning coach Xavi Gil, analyst Manel González and goalkeeping coach Diego Tuero. This season, Joan Carrillo and Joan Ferrer joined the coaching staff, adding to the team’s depth. Rubi praised the contributions of these key figures, along with in-house members Ricardo Molina and Víctor Fortes, who have been at the Club since the beginning.
As Rubi continues to build on his successful tenure at UD Almería, his focus is clear: to help the Indálicos grow further and achieve the long-term goal of returning to the top-flight LaLiga EA Sports for good.