The top executive of UD Las Palmas, Miguel Ángel Ramírez, detailed the club's strategy for the next campaign on Monday. The technical direction will be entrusted to Rubén de la Barrera, a choice the club had been considering for some time. The project aims to strengthen the squad, retaining around twenty players and bolstering it with new signings and youth academy talents, all with the objective of achieving promotion to the top tier of Spanish football, learning from past setbacks.
Ramírez defended the selection of Rubén de la Barrera, whom the club had been following for years, highlighting the alignment of his playing style with the entity's philosophy. The president emphasized the coach's ability to revitalize teams mid-season, citing his tenure at Cultural Leonesa, and his previous successes, such as promotions with Albacete and Cultural itself. "If you look at the data, there's a lot of data that tells you what a good coach he is," he stated.
The new coaching staff will include Álvaro Segura as assistant coach, along with an analyst and a fitness coach. Ramírez recalled that the club has previously opted for coaches with emerging careers in professional football, such as Quique Setién, who came from "unemployment," or García Pimienta, who "had never coached professionally," stressing a belief in people's talent and capabilities over résumés.
“"We believe in people, in their ability, and in talent more than in résumés"
The squad composition for the new season is built on a solid foundation, with approximately 20 players from the previous term continuing. Among the most significant news is the contract renewal of Jesé, whose verbal agreement will be formalized shortly. Additionally, the purchase option for Millaciru has been exercised, and that for Estanis Pedrola is being finalized. The club is also in negotiations to sign central defender Barcia and is seeking a forward to complete the team.
The team will be strengthened by signings such as Andrés Rodríguez (from Teruel), Sergio Ruiz (from Granada), Manu Fuster, Iván Gil, Regova, and Asimovic. The youth academy will play a prominent role with the definitive promotion of players like Valentín Pezzolesi, Carlos Navarro, Iván Medina, Rafa Cruz, and Elías Romero to the first team.
Pre-season training will commence the week of July 6th with medical checks, and on-field sessions will begin on the 13th at Barranco Seco. The team will undertake a training camp in Marbella from July 20th to 31st, during which they will play four friendly matches. The objective, according to Ramírez, is clear: "To get to 50 points as soon as possible, secure promotion quickly, and if time permits, work towards direct promotion."
The president identified the team's recurring dip in results during January and February as a significant issue to address, attributing it to travel fatigue that compromises training quality. "We have over 50 fewer training sessions than any of our rivals," he explained, convinced that without this slump, the team would already be in the top division.
Financially, Ramírez acknowledged that UD Las Palmas is not a stable club in the Second Division, as expenses exceed income. For the current season, projected revenues are 22.5 million euros against estimated expenses of "around 32, 33 million," a deficit covered by player sales. "Stability comes from management," he stated, assuring that the club's viability is not at risk.
Finally, regarding the departure of the previous coach, Luis García, the president clarified that it was a consensual and amicable decision. "We understand that it is most convenient for all parties to go our separate ways for now," he declared, adding that he considers García a "top coach" with whom they maintain a "magnificent relationship."
