Time is slipping away, so Lolo Escobar made a bold call on the festive Tuesday, Constitution Day. He canceled the usual rest day his predecessor had planned and summoned every player to the Fontcalent training ground, including those returning from injuries. The clock read thirteen hours as players gathered for a session focused on intensity and readiness on a day traditionally reserved for recovery and reflection.
Subsequently, Angel Rodriguez stepped onto the Hercules bench, wasting no time in outlining his approach. He arrived with a clear plan, aiming to understand the team’s dynamics and to determine whether his role would be secure in the short term. The squad faced a Sunday challenge, traveling to Rico Pérez for an 18:00 kickoff. For Rodriguez to formalize his position, the club would need to finalize terms with the man from León, who had been called to the stadium offices to discuss contract termination. That agreement, already reached in July, carried significant financial implications that would require careful negotiation and clear certainty about the future.
On Monday, the Castile-born coach bid farewell to his former players in a straightforward but heartfelt manner. He conveyed best wishes for success and then stepped away, convinced that a change was necessary for the squad to move forward. Although he did not reveal exact signing statistics, his demeanor suggested a club facing a relegation battle, where decisive actions could redefine the season.
As personal belongings were packed in the dormitory after the recovery session, a handful of players stopped by his office to say personal goodbyes to the leader who had guided them in the dressing room up to that morning. The atmosphere was a mix of reflection and resolve, signaling a turning point for the team’s leadership and strategy.
Lolo Escobar’s contract with Hercules was confirmed on Monday afternoon, aligning with a practical minimum expectation that stops short of an automatic promotion guarantee. If his plan proves successful, he could secure a longer-term deal through June, with an option for an extended season as the team tops the table. The objective, after all, was to balance ambition with stability, building a path that would keep them competitive over the next four weeks against four competing squads that still demonstrated real threat to the standings.
Across Hercules’ recent history, a pattern has emerged. From 2014 onward, the club has cycled through a sequence of managers with varying tenures. The list includes Pacheta and Herrero, followed by several other coaches, with Lluis Planaguma and Vicente Mir among those who briefly guided the team before the current changes. The turnover rate reveals a club striving to regain consistency after a setback that began with relegation to the lower tier in 2014, and the search for a sustainable formula has continued to evolve with each passing season.
With the mandate clear, Jose Escobar is expected to fulfill the responsibilities entrusted to him by the new leadership. The immediate aim is to restore a defensive identity and organization to a squad that has endured a seven-week winless stretch, including a cup tie that ended in disappointment. The defense had conceded goals with ease against teams positioned lower in the table, underscoring the need for solidity at the back and discipline across the pitch. The coaching duo will focus on tightening the lines, improving communication, and pressing higher when the ball is lost to reduce risky transitions.
Looking ahead, Escobar intends to maintain the club’s usual training cadence from today through matchday. A rigorous program will keep the players focused and ready, with recovery and tactical sessions interwoven to ensure a coherent system. The plan also emphasizes a comprehensive evaluation of all squad members, including a broader group of affiliated players who may earn opportunities based on performance. If a strong impression is not made, further adjustments could come sooner rather than later, potentially cutting short any extended holiday period around the Christmas break.