Hercules is moving fast, not waiting for mid-July to map out the next season. The facility, already pledged for permanence, has begun a restructuring push aimed at freeing the club from the confines of the fourth tier in Spanish football. For the largest shareholder, who backed the appointment of Luis Castillo as chairman and now seeks to make him a trusted pillar, the answer lies in returning to the past. Valentine’s Day Bottle and Javier Subirats have agreed to assist as consultants in shaping the squad.
Parody is slated to step back as the primary blue-and-white authority, but the move does not deter him. Returning to Rico Pérez after a thirty-year absence, and after a failed second stint at the helm of the arena, the Valencian coach is set to sit on the bench amid the turmoil of the season’s wreckage.
Bauzá and Subirats aim to leverage Eldense’s momentum
The memory of the second-division promotion that brought Rico Pérez to life, along with the stubborn belief by Valencia’s former sporting director, continues to influence decisions. Subirats navigated a turbulent period at Eldense in 2018. David Bauza served as manager, but neither completed the season, and both encountered contract disputes that led to their exits.
The blue-and-white ownership expresses a preference for a commentator who can help align the club’s planning with the day-to-day realities on the ground. The return to Alicante involves no specific monthly salary, and the objective is to advise on long-term planning and to join a timely, coordinated effort by the sports commission to distribute responsibilities within the squad. Paco picks up tasks but will no longer be responsible for registrations and cancellations that must be handled in due course.
Luis Castillo will delay his formal presentation until next week
The new Hércules head plans to go public soon but has decided to wait until the season’s end, when King’s Cup qualifiers are still on the table. He aims to outline his motivations and working lines for the role, hoping to finalize his circle of trusted collaborators with the owner’s final approval. The owner and president agree that a general manager or director will be essential to oversee daily operations and ensure continuity beyond the long-tenured Carlos Parodi, who has held a leadership role for many years.
It’s clear the club is not relying on one asset. The owner and president agree that a strong executive presence will be necessary to manage day-to-day affairs and to take on responsibilities traditionally managed by Parodi.
“Ovi” experience
In the profile aimed at strengthening this function, the blue-and-white club aligns with the preferences of the SAD owners. Ferdinand Ovid resigned from Alcoyano on 16 November and simultaneously joined Deportivo as a shareholder. Juan Carlos Ramirez, Enrique Ortiz’s former partner, has moved in and out of Hércules as a strategic figure.
The Basque businessman, in his first formal act, has spent 12 years in Alicante’s offices. His career, talent, and straightforward approach to football, together with good relationships with various federative bodies, bring him closer to Rico Pérez. Budget considerations demand a careful reorganization that could be mirrored in the upcoming season, shaping the 2023-24 era for Hércules.
The new Alcoyano leadership has decided to move forward without Ovidio, who has served as a manager for twelve years.
Lolo wants control
The big question is whether the Extremadura coach will lead the pre-season. For now, the club waits for year-end results and the next division’s classification, with the King’s Cup still in play. If the criteria aren’t met, digesting the changes will be tougher, even with an existing contract.
Lolo Escobar has stated publicly that he will not extend the year he signed. He will only return to the field if he participates in squad preparation, recruitment, and departures, a process that would help refresh a worn-out wardrobe as the season’s 14th matchday arrives. Players have contracts for next year, so getting the bench right remains a priority.