Guti released as coach at UD Almería

Miscellaneous

That’s it for the former Blanco: After only 22 games as head coach of the second division UD Almeria packs José María Gutiérrez Hernández his suitcase and leaves the Andalusian. Guti was released.

As successor to Committed to Pedro Emanuel in early November, the Spaniard’s big goal in his first stop as a professional coach was to move straight up to the Primera Division. Seven games before the end of the season, the southern Spaniards are promising third place, but five points behind the second-placed Real Zaragoza, the “Almerienses” would not be a direct climber. Guti took over the team as runner-up, which is why the dismissal of his predecessor came as a surprise. After the home defeat against AD Alcorcón – the Madrid suburban club should be a bitter memory for every Madridista – the adventure in Andalusia is now over.

The fan favorite ended his active player career in 2011 and coached various youth teams with the royal team before working as an assistant coach at Bestiktas Istanbul during the 2018/19 season. In November 2019, UD Almería was the first station as a professional trainer. In total, the native of Madrid stood on the sidelines 22 times for Almería, winning nine games and losing eight. With an additional five draws, this makes 32 out of 66 possible points and thus an average of 1.45 points per game. From the last ten game days, the legendary number 14 could only take three wins – not enough for him Saudi Arabian businessman and Almería-Besitzer Turki Al-Sheikh. So the real legend will have to follow the final spurt of the season around the play-offs on the sofa at home – or will there be a new club for the 43-year-old this season?