Elche’s ownership saga has been led by Sixth manager Christian Bragarnik, a figure who has both owned the club and influenced its direction for years. His approach has included replacing managers and reshaping the coaching staff as the team navigated through turbulent seasons.
Over time Bragarnik became the club’s main shareholder, a move that coincided with a cycle of rapid managerial changes. The first team has seen eight different coaches, including Jorge Almirón who led the squad on two separate occasions, while Alberto Gallego and the technical secretary Sergio Mantecón stepped in temporarily. Gallego also faced a departure from the club’s subsidiary. The pattern created a revolving door at the bench, unsettling players and fans alike.
The instability began early after promotion to the First Division in the 2019-2020 season. The owner opted not to renew the contract of Pacheta, a decision that surprised many. Pacheta had played a crucial role in moving the team from Segunda B to the top flight and was seen as a hero by the supporters. The move triggered criticism and set the tone for several seasons of rapid changes and uneasy transitions.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t coach Elche in the First Division”
JA Galvanized
The club’s ownership sought a trusted coach who could represent the team’s ambitions, including working with Jorge Almirón. The Argentine coach’s tenure began amid fan fervor but lasted only 16 matches without a win, a run that led to a public outcry and a quick shift in strategy. The owner aimed to satisfy supporters by bringing in a new idol, and Fran Escribá, the Valencia coach, was welcomed. He managed to stabilize the club enough to preserve its status, offering a period of renewal for the squad.
In the 2021-2022 season, the campaign stalled on matchday 14 after a 0-3 defeat to Betis at Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero, marking another setback for the project.
Bragarnik overthrows Escribá
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To reassure Escribá, Bragarnik pursued Machín, seeking his word to take charge. Yet, the plan didn’t fully materialize until Soriano’s coach initially refused to quit, leaving Bragarnik to manage the interim period with Sergio Mantecón stepping in as a temporary solution for a match against Osasuna in Pamplona. A day before the Al Sadar clash, Francisco was announced as the new coach, having previously declined the offer. Ultimately, he accepted the role and led the team to a firmer footing, achieving a notable season score of forty-two points. Francisco’s emotional reception from the fans helped secure his continuation into the 2022-2023 campaign, although patience with the owner wore thin and he was dismissed after another difficult start, collecting only one point from the opening seven fixtures following a late home loss to Rayo.
Francisco quits being Elche’s coach
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With Francisco out, Alberto Gallego and interim guidance from Nino managed the team during the transition. A ten-day period with a single game against Mallorca (a 1-1 draw) followed, before a formal decision shifted the reins to Jorge Almirón again. Bragarnik miscalculated once more, and the team sat at the bottom of the table as autumn pressed on. Almirón began with two hopeful draws against Valencia and Espanyol, both 2-2, but a string of defeats soon materialized: Real Madrid, Getafe, and Valladolid all took three points in succession. The pattern exposed deepening doubts about the project and the owner resolved to move on as the distance to safety widened.
Jorge Almirón steps down as manager of Elche
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The club then handed the baton back—this time to a familiar face—for a short spell that included a match against Antequera and a later clash with Girona that ended 1-2. The World Cup break in Qatar arrived, and the search for a new manager intensified. Bragarnik appointed Pablo Machín, who accepted the challenge and took over on 17 November, giving the squad time to recalibrate ahead of the post-break program. Under Machín, Elche fought to improve, yet the points ledger remained stubbornly challenging; after eleven matches, Machín’s side recorded only two wins, three draws, and seven losses, leaving salvation a distant hope rather than a near certainty.
Machín: “I’m leaving with the peace of mind that I’ve given my all”
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Elche’s form did show signs of improvement, but results did not follow. A defeat to Real Sociedad and a broader decline in public perception tested the patience of the franchise’s largest shareholder, who once again considered alternatives. The coaching staff saw changes as Carlos Martínez and Jordi Barcell also exited the club in the wake of the upheaval.
In this ongoing saga, the club continued to chase stability while navigating the expectations of its fan base and the pressures of top-flight competition. The ownership group has consistently balanced ambition with the harsh realities of modern football, aiming to rebuild a squad capable of remaining competitive in La Liga and restoring Elche to the status fans crave. [citation: ownership statements, team records, and match reports compiled from club communications and match archives].