#30 The B Team is the Future! (3)
With great power comes great responsibility. The same holds true for a manager's position in the soccer world, whether it's head coach or manager. If the results don't come, the first one to take the fall is always the boss.
AD Alcorcón's technical director, Iñigo Chapé, who holds the personnel authority over the players and coaching staff, pulled the trigger on firing the coach less than 30 minutes after the A team's match ended.
He had no choice. The team had plummeted to 16th place with a dismal run of 1 draw and 4 losses over their last five games. If they couldn't turn the atmosphere around here, relegation would loom large. La Liga promotion was already a pipe dream, but they had to avoid the drop at all costs. For Iñigo Chapé, it was an unavoidable decision.
Of course, firing the current coach didn't guarantee escape from the relegation zone. And they didn't even have a new manager lined up yet. In other words, he was sacking the coach without a solid replacement. There was one key reason for that.
The players need to come together again.
The coach's failure to control the squad and the growing rifts with the players had lit the fuse, culminating in this explosive dismissal.
When it's just a clash with a few players, the club usually backs the coach. But when friction spreads to the majority of the squad, firing him becomes the only answer.
They needed aggressive new tactics to grind out wins, but the coach stuck to defensive setups and failed to convince the players on his selections, deepening the conflicts. When a coach clashes with most of the squad like this, team chemistry shatters—it's only a matter of time. That's why Iñigo Chapé had danced on a knife's edge.
I get it. I totally get it, but…
In truth, Iñigo Chapé hadn't wanted to fire the coach. They'd finished the first half in 9th, maintaining solid results and performances thanks to the defensive tactics that suited him well.
But as opponents figured out counters, the team wobbled. Then the striker they brought in over the winter failed to make any impact, and everything spiraled.
It was time for change. Yet the coach opted for the status quo. Defensive play was his specialty, and he didn't want to ruin the team chemistry he'd built by switching tactics. Even as results crumbled, he stubbornly stuck to his guns.
From the players' side, that was naturally infuriating. No one wanted to drop to the third division.
"So, you're planning to finish the season with an interim coach?"
The AD Alcorcón president's voice came through the receiver. Iñigo Chapé slowly parted his lips.
"There are no suitable managerial candidates available right now."
"So you fired him just to shake up the squad's mood."
"…Yes."
"Remember this. Firing the coach is your call, but firing the technical director? That's mine."
The president's voice turned icy.
"If we still get relegated after all this, you'd better be prepared to clean out your desk."
"I understand."
"We'll talk after the season ends."
The call ended there.
"Hoo…"
Iñigo Chapé let out a quiet sigh and leaned back in his chair. In a way, he wasn't free of blame either. He never could have predicted the winter signing striker would flop this hard.
Who should I bring in as the next coach…?
He shook his head to clear the thought.
First, avoid relegation. That's the priority.
For now, all he could do was trust in the 'sack buff' to work its magic.
"And that's actually good for you?"
When I relayed the news of the AD Alcorcón A team coach's dismissal, Tiago unexpectedly said it was a win for me.
"Yeah."
Tiago gave a curt reply, shoved the last bit of burger into his mouth, chewed and swallowed, took a sip of zero cola to wash it down, and finally continued.
"Alcorcón's director said you're the first-option striker next season, right?"
"He did."
"It's just words for now—they could bring in a new number one striker next summer transfer window. Alcorcón's not flush with cash, but… who knows?"
"Anyway. So?"
"The senior coach is taking over as interim now, right? So they'll be looking for a proper new manager."
This time, I just nodded slightly instead of answering.
Tiago took another swig of zero cola and went on.
"The director will make damn sure the new coach knows you're the first-option striker. And he'll pick someone who can actually use you well."
"Hm…"
"Alcorcón's got decent defensive organization. The problem is the striker—the finisher. You're perfect for that spot. And you're a free transfer for them."
"Jackpot."
"Totally agree."
We locked eyes and let out small chuckles.
"Plus, they're short on wingers too. Outside of attack, it's a pretty well-put-together team. That 1 draw, 4 losses streak? Mostly from the coach-player drama."
As expected from a La Liga expert, Tiago had Alcorcón's situation down pat. Though I'd dug into it more since I'm on the team.
"Reporters on SNS say the interim senior coach has the players' trust. Know why?"
"Why?"
"He's ditching the old coach's defensive tactics for attack-focused ones."
"Oh?"
"Alcorcón players don't want to sit back defensively anymore. They want an aggressive coach to lead them. Just my take, though."
Solid reasoning. I nodded slowly in agreement.
"That's why it's good for you. Players want aggression, and the director wants someone to fix the attack. So they'll pick a coach who'll use their star striker right."
Tiago grinned and added,
"They won't hire someone who won't play you as starter. Again, just my opinion."
Made sense. Seen that way, the sacking could actually benefit me.
"But all this assumes Alcorcón stays up."
"True."
Just in case, we'd baked in a massive buyout clause reduction if they got relegated to Primera Federación. …Though my salary and bonuses would get slashed too.
"Even if they go down, teams will still want you. But you'd need an agent."
I want to play at pro level at least. Primera Federación, top of the Spanish semi-pros, wouldn't cut it.
"Don't sweat it too much. My guess? They'll stay up."
"Why?"
"Like I said, solid defense. Even with aggressive tactics from the interim, they won't go full attack and trash the backline."
Probably. Players just hated all-in defense, not defense altogether.
"And of the four relegation spots, 21st and 22nd are basically done. Their situations are hopeless."
"What about 19th and 20th?"
La Liga 2 relegates four teams. 1st and 2nd auto-promote, 3rd to 6th in playoffs for one more spot.
"17th and 20th are just two points apart. But 16th Alcorcón's still five points clear. Unless they lose more and drop points, it'll hold."
"Squad-wise, we're better?"
"Yep. Without the drama, they'd hold mid-table easy."
Tiago's words carried weight. He wasn't a true pro analyst, but… that voice just inspired trust. Good thing he went into soccer instead of a cult.
"Hmm…"
I mulled over what he'd said. Summary:
Low chance of Alcorcón relegation, but not zero. Firing the coach might actually help me.
…Pretty much. All possibilities, nothing set in stone. But isn't life like that?
"Tiago. Got a sudden question."
"Shoot."
"If… Alcorcón A team added a striker who could bag 30+ goals this season, could they promote?"
Tiago didn't hesitate.
"100% yes. I'm sure."
Then he smiled and tacked on,
"And that striker wouldn't stop at just 30."
Unlike the chaotic A team vibe, our B team atmosphere was at an all-time high. Pure confidence—like we could smash anyone who stepped up.
The dressing room brimmed with it. Even Jordi Calavera skipped the motivational speeches, just calmly telling us to stick to what we do.
Our opponents for Segunda Federación Group 5, Round 28 at home: 9th-placed CD Don Benito.
No changes to the lineup, tactics, or formation. Same mental state, same swagger.
We'd already thrashed the league leaders 8-0, so fear was gone as we hit the pitch.
Clomping over the grass, a roar suddenly erupted from somewhere. All eyes snapped to the stands.
Not just me—every AD Alcorcón B player went wide-eyed.
No wonder. Games that barely drew 200 fans on a good day now had…
"We gave up on the idiot A team!"
"We're cheering for you now!"
"Alcorcón's young warriors!"
"Bring victory to us weary fans!"
"The B team is our future!"
"Vamossss!!!"
…Easily over 500 AD Alcorcón fans packed in.