Very little changes occur. In truth, it almost never does. Often the coach stands as the variable that mutates first, the one easiest swapped when a dramatic shift is needed. When the numbers fall short and urgency turns needs into hardship, the mood on the bench shifts. Vincent Parras felt this in his own experience. Like many colleagues, he faced abrupt dismissal for lack of results, but that was before his arrival at Deportivo.
At Alcoyano, the coach of Elche earned well deserved respect that allowed him to stay beyond the usual expectations governing modern football. If he were elsewhere, he might already be in the office negotiating a new deal. Yet in Alcoy, with a history of strong leadership and a bench backed by seasoned shareholders, he has endured through the closing stages without flinching.
Juan Carlos Ramirez understands that this is no ordinary club, but a very special institution that still bears the unmistakable mark of centuries old establishments tied to the homeland of Basque business interests.
Two consecutive promotions from the lowest levels and a steady entry into professional football serve as solid confirmations of continuity in their own right. Yet the on-field achievements are complemented by what his personality has contributed to the squad: stability, vitality, and a project that threads through the edges of a long, tense journey.
9 LOST
Deportivo’s addition this season mirrors last year in intent, with one key difference: ten wins after 27 days, three more than in the past, a tally not seen before. This approach to understanding the craft helped Alcoyano soften the impact of payroll delays, as Parras guided the team through financial strain while giving the board time to secure a resolution. A non traumatic approach kept the locker room intact, enabling everyone to keep contributing despite enormous obstacles.
His proven track record and the supportive attitude shown during the club’s fragile finances reinforce the board’s trust in the manager.
Such a factor represents an invaluable, intangible strength that even Ramírez respects, allowing the Alcoyano project to transcend the ordinary and maintain a sense of purpose that goes beyond football alone.
At this point, Parras shares the same losses as last season: nine wins, three fewer games, and a balance that still shows a trajectory of strength. His connection to the home arena, El Collao, forms a core part of his identity as a coach who thrives under pressure. The club has yet to earn significant results at home in recent months, a trend that must change if the season is to be remembered for resilience rather than misfortune.
38 POINTS
Alcoyano led the league at this stage last year, and currently they sit six points ahead of where that count would stand, just two points clear of relegation. On match day 27 in the prior campaign, the distance from the danger zone was five.
This Sunday, one of the teams still fighting for a playoff berth will visit, a group that keeps the spotlight bright on Deportivo as well. The message from the coach who has become the emblem of Deportivo in the last decade is plain: roll up your sleeves and stay fully with the team, understand where they stand and what is at stake. The call is for unity, for every player to contribute to the cause, whether he is in the lineup or not, to put the collective first and foremost.
Two free tickets per subscriberLlenemos el Collao
Alcoyano is mobilizing its fanbase for the six remaining “finals” at El Collao until season’s end. The first measure grants each season ticket holder two tickets for the Sunday game against Logroñes at 12:00. Persistence, the club says, comes from home games and the fans are urged to stand with the team again. Sunday is a difficult day, Father’s Day, and the game is scheduled in the morning, a less popular hour in Alcoy, so the club aims to energize the stands with renewed support. In the final stretch, club representatives have met to secure backing from the supporters in the stands.
This is the hardest part of the job: to foster will where it is most needed. He has led without hesitation until now, serving as the locker room’s moral compass. The captains and players have supported him, and the board members recognize the profile of a coach who can fit into a project that values belonging over mere branding.
The plan is to staff for permanence because that is the goal at hand. It would worry anyone to see a lack of competitiveness, but the difference is that opponents often have as many chances as we do, yet manage to convert more often. The coach speaks with a tone of resolve, a unified team two points above the relegation line, insisting that unity must prevail to push back the danger and secure the season’s ambitions.