Rubi becomes longest-serving UD Almería head coach

Joan Francesc Ferrer Sicilia, also known as Rubi, was honoured ahead of the UD Almería vs Levante UD for being the longest-serving UD Almería head coach. Two weeks ago, during the match against Real Zaragoza, the Stadium 's PA system announced that the Catalan gaffer had equalled Juan Martínez, known as 'Casuco,' who held the previous record with 127 games in the driving seat. 

 

On the last Matchday at El Plantío Stadium in Burgos, Rubi became the UD Almería head coach who managed the team the most times (128), which with the one against Levante UD, now represents 129. The record set was a reason for a tribute from the Andalusian Club and in the early stages of the match against the Granotas, Club Managing Director Mohamed El Assy presented Rubi with a commemorative plaque and a framed shirt with the head coach's name and the number 128 printed on the back.

 

The Vilassar de Mar native is also the head coach with the most matches won. He arrived at the Club in the 2020/21 season, with just a few games left in the regular season and qualified the team for the play-offs but failed to secure promotion. 

 

The following season 2021/22, the Rojiblancos did achieve their goal through automatic promotion and crowned as league champions. Rubi continued at the helm of the first team in the 2002/03 campaign, resulting in their league survival in the top flight of Spanish football, although he would no longer do so despite his success. 

 

In fact, he announced his departure at the end of the final Matchday of LaLiga against Espanyol de Barcelona. After relegation in 2023/24, UD Almería called the Catalan head coach back, who is facing his fourth season in charge of the Indálicos with the same goal as when he arrived the first time: promotion to the Primera Division.