The era of Arsenio Iglesias, born in 1930 and passing in 2023, stands as a defining chapter in the history of Hercules. In Alicante, his name became synonymous with transformation, turning the club into a symbol of ambition and achievement that few others could match.
Arteixo, Galicia, welcomed Hercules when José Rico Pérez brought him to town in 1973 with a clear mission: lift the team to the First Division. That squad became legendary, strengthened by a mix of talent from across the continent, and achieved promotion with a decisive victory in Pamplona against Osasuna. The moment is still remembered in Alicante for its lasting impact and the celebratory mood that followed the triumph.
The ascent was only the prologue to a continuing love story between Hercules and its coach. The team entered the Primera Division in the 1974-75 season under Iglesias, a season powered by a solid signings window. The squad included Pepe Santoro and Carmelo Giuliano from Argentina, Antón Arieta from Bilbao, Guego Quique, and Tigre Barrios who had connections to FC Barcelona. They finished fifth, even holding Real Sociedad to draws that kept Hercules alive in European contention by a narrow margin.
With Rico Pérez’s sustained backing and a diligent office team led by Manolo Maldonado, Arsenio built a resilient squad. He worked with Benito Joanet on the technical front, and he hunted for valuable players at speed, avoiding long scouting delays to outpace bigger clubs that could overwhelm a smaller squad in competition.
Arsenio Iglesias and the Hercules legacy
The strong start continued as Barrios, the club’s top scorer in the First Division, used his prowess to attract attention from bigger teams. A pivotal moment came when Barcelona pursued Tigre Barrios, a move that played into the wider narrative of Iglesias shaping a competitive, compact team capable of punching above its weight. During this period, Iglesias and his staff made sure Hercules stayed focused on the pitch while the club’s base in Alicante remained a home for players and supporters who believed in the project.
Under Iglesias, and with the guidance of his coaching staff including Benito Joanet, Cacho Saccardi emerged as a major talent in Alicante. The team repeated its earlier success by earning a second consecutive top-flight appearance and finishing sixth. The recruitment drive continued with players such as Argentinian Charles and Comisso, and German Lubecke, along with an international goalkeeper Deusto, who contributed to a strong performance in the King’s Cup, including a notable 3-0 victory over Real Madrid at Rico Pérez in the opening round.
In that cup campaign, narrow penalties in the subsequent rounds kept Hercules from reaching the semi finals. Despite those close calls, Iglesias guided the club through three straight seasons in the top flight, a level of consistency that stand as a benchmark in the club’s modern story. The period also marked significant achievements outside the league, as Iglesias earned a place among the notable coaches in Spanish football history, with his work at Hercules contributing to his later prestige at Deportivo and Real Madrid.
Even after leaving Hercules, Iglesias remained a figure of reverence within Alicante. His successes at Hercules, complemented by his later roles and the enduring influence of the club’s strategy, left an imprint on the local football culture that continues to be recalled by fans and historians alike. The Hercules era under Iglesias is celebrated as a high point, a standard of excellence that the club has not replicated since and that remains a bright highlight in the annals of Spanish football.
Today, the Hercules story is often viewed through the lens of Iglesias’ leadership, the players who defined an era, and the sense of identity that grew in Alicante because of the club’s achievements. While other coaches have shaped the club in different ways, the Iglesias chapter is frequently cited as the pinnacle of Hercules football, a period when the team performed at its best and carried its city with pride. The arc of Iglesias’ career, including later stints in high-profile leagues, reinforces the enduring value of his contribution to the game and to the region’s sporting heritage.