Rubi appointed new head coach of UD Almería

Joan Francesc Ferrer Sicilia aka ‘Rubi’, becomes the new head coach of UD Almería after the agreement reached with the Rojiblancos Club following conversations held in the last few hours and a long face-to-face meeting with UD Almeria General Manager Mohamed El Assy. Rubi signs for the remainder of the 2020/21 campaign, and for two more seasons. The head coach arrives with his coaching team which is made up of second coach Jaume Torra, physical trainer Xabi Gil, goalkeeper coach Diego Tuero and assistant-analyst Manuel García. In-house coaching staff Víctor Fortes and Ricardo Molina will also join the group.

Rubi was born in the town of Vilasar de Mar (Barcelona) 51 years ago. The Catalan was in the driving seat of Real Betis last 2019/20 season. When he was in charge of RCD Espanyol de Barcelona in the past 2018/19 top-flight campaign, the team made it to European football. Last but not least, SD Huesca gained promotion to the Spanish football elite in the 2017/18 season thanks to him. 

After hanging up his boots, Rubi began his career as a head coach by leading his hometown team in the past 2000/01 season. After several years in Tercera Division and Segunda ‘B’ clubs, including the Espanyol ‘B’ team, he was appointed as second-tier Girona FC's head coach back in 2012/13. It was his debut in professional football and the side qualified for the play-offs for promotion to Primera Division, however after knocking AD Alcorcón out in the semis, they lost to his new team UD Almería in the finals.

Rubi joined the FC Barcelona coaching team later on, ​​first along with Tito Vilanova and next with Gerardo Martino. Real Valladolid competing in Segunda Division and participating in the play-offs as well as both Levante UD and Sporting de Gijón competing in top-tier Primera Division were his next clubs before signing for SD Huesca in the 2017/18 season.