When results stay out of sight, the talk tends to circle around the coach first. After two goals in the last two days against Villarreal 4-0 and Athletic Bilbao 1-4, and above all the poor image Elche has presented, most attention points at Francisco.
According to information gathered from sources close to the club owner, Christian Bragnik, the head coach of the green and white squad is not currently considered in danger. The major shareholder continues to trust the Almería native, and beyond a serious misstep, this coming Saturday at Camp Nou against Barcelona, LaLiga breaks for the international window at the end of September.
October will be decisive for Francisco’s future. Elche will play six matches, four against league rivals. If results do not improve, Bragnik could consider changing the dugout.
Elche opens October on the 3rd at 21:00 with a visit to Vallecano. The weekend of October 8–9 brings a home game against Mallorca. Then it travels to Mestalla to face Valencia and will host Real Madrid during the October 19–20 window. The Franjiverdes finish the month on the road again, with another Spanish clash and a potential meeting with Getafe.
Anything short of collecting a handful of points and climbing out of the relegation zone could make Francisco’s position at the helm of the green-and-white team more difficult.
owner’s patience
Since arriving at Elche, Bragarnik has been known for his patience with coaches and for avoiding dramatic moves when tough decisions loom.
Jorge Almirón was the bold bet after promotion to the Premier League, a gamble that ended with his dismissal after a long struggle. He steered Elche into the First Division but endured 21 matches without a win and changes only when the situation grew untenable.
Last season under Fran Escribá, dismissal came faster. Valencia needed just 14 days and he was fired after earning two points from 18, six games without a win, and rumors of deeper issues. The owner had already signaled concerns about tactical solutions, and the locker room had become fragile.
Bragarnik is a football man who favors coaches capable of tactical authority and brave football. This was a factor in choosing Francisco over Escribá. Although the Almería coach did not achieve the rescue goals, his bravery and adaptability across different tactical setups earned the owner’s respect.
This choice bore fruit last season as Francisco managed to save Elche and earned a respectable showing against strong opponents, including Real Madrid and Barcelona.
Yet the same problems could surface again with the current Franjiverde manager. Francis has not yet found a lasting solution to the team’s issues, and some approaches and player selections did not yield the hoped-for results. That could again test Bragarnik’s patience.
For now, trust and support remain with Francisco, but a continued stretch of poor results could push the situation toward a breaking point.
The largest shareholder traveled to Argentina on September 1, the last day of the transfer window. He plans to return in time to be in the Camp Nou box, but with the LaLiga break, a late return at the start of October remains possible. From that moment, he will watch the results closely and gauge the mood within the squad. If Elche fails to react, Francisco’s tenure could become untenable.
When results are not visible, the talk tends to circle around the coach first. After two goals in the last two days against Villarreal and Athletic Bilbao, and the overall negative image Elche presents, all eyes are on Francisco.
According to information from sources close to the Elche owner, Christian Bragnik, the head coach is not in immediate danger. The major shareholder continues to rely on the Almería native, and apart from a serious misstep, this upcoming Saturday at Camp Nou against Barcelona marks a LaLiga break for the international window at the end of September.
However October will indeed be key and decisive for Francisco’s future. Elche will play six matches, four of which will be against league rivals. And there, if the results still do not come, Bragarnik will consider taking a place on the bench.
Elche starts October 3 at 21:00 with a visit to Vallecano. The weekend of October 8–9 the team will host Mallorca. Then it travels to Mestalla to face Valencia and will host Real Madrid in the October 19–20 window. The Franjiverdes will finish the month with another road game, possibly against Getafe.
Anything other than adding a handful of points to these games and climbing out of the relegation zone could make Francisco’s future at the head of the green-and-white team more difficult.
owner’s patience
Since arriving, Bragarnik has shown a preference for patient, steady leadership and for avoiding rash decisions in the locker room.
A few years back, a bold bet on a coach who could take Elche to higher levels led to a turbulent period, with long winless stretches and difficult calls. The pattern has shaped the owner’s approach to management and the expectations placed on the coaching staff.
Bragarnik is known for valuing tactical flexibility and commitment to bold football. This was a decisive factor in Francisco’s selection. Although the immediate rescue did not dominate, the decision demonstrated the owner’s willingness to back a coach who can adapt.
Last season proved the bet could pay off, with Elche delivering a solid campaign against tougher opponents and showing resilience in high-profile matches.
Again, the same issues could reappear with the present Franjiverde coach. For now, there is trust, but if the rope stretches too far, it could break.
The major shareholder’s Argentina trip on September 1 marked the transfer window’s end. He aimed to return in time for the Camp Nou clash, though the LaLiga break may delay that plan until early October. From then, he will monitor results and mood, ready to act if necessary to safeguard the club’s direction.”