The Die is Cast for Rubi at Real Valladolid
Rubi will not continue at Real Valladolid. He no longer has any support. The fans unanimously demand his dismissal, bearing in mind that he has one more year left on his contract. However, palace affairs move slowly. The sporting director, Braulio Vázquez, will not return to Valladolid until Thursday and it won't be until that day that the club starts making the first decisions for the upcoming season. It has been understood that a decision made too quickly would give the impression of haste. Everything will be analyzed beforehand and measures will be taken. But there is no going back on the issue of the bench.
The president, clearly determined to change the coach, will respect Braulio's decision. The Galician was very disappointed with what Valladolid did in Las Palmas and cannot be oblivious to what is being thought of inside and outside the club. Trying to start a new project with Rubi at the helm would be a foolhardy move that could cost the club enormous wear and tear among its fan base. Suárez won't allow it. The Rubi-fan divorce is huge. One doesn't need to be a genius to see it. On Thursday, Braulio will make the decision with the president, if not sooner, and after communicating it to the coach, it will become official. From that point on, contacts will be made to hire a new coach. The president and the sporting director are already brainstorming.
Possible Future Candidates
Suárez likes José Luis Mendilibar. He has always liked him, despite having been forced to dismiss him in the 2009-10 season due to poor results. But it is not the first time that Suárez has hinted at Mendilibar's return in the summer only to end up hiring another coach. And that's where Braulio's figure comes into play, as he possibly has other names on the list of candidates.
Another highly desirable coach is Quique Setién. His great work at Lugo has not gone unnoticed by anyone. Several second-division clubs are interested in him. Alberto Marcos had already taken note of him. The Galician team has played good football and teams like Mallorca or Córdoba have approached him. He may fit the profile that Real Valladolid is looking for. Gaizka Garitano, who is leaving Eibar, should not be ruled out either. His work with the team has been very positive, despite being relegated on the last matchday due to Deportivo's draw in Barcelona. Osasuna has also thought about him.
Another name on the list, although it seems more difficult, is Fran Escribá, the coach of Elche in recent seasons. His prestige for the work he has done with the "Franjiverdes" is high and Getafe could be his destination. He has been a coach admired by Braulio for quite some time, but his name has also been linked in the last few hours with Olympiacos. It doesn't seem likely that he would become available for a second-division team. Setién, Mendilibar, Garitano, Escribá... all waiting for the club to confirm Rubi's departure.