Difficult hours linger. The sense of betrayal from Lolo Escobar’s “shock” still sits heavy in Hercules’ camp as pre-season unfolds. After two weeks and more, the feeling doesn’t fade; it grows. The blue-and-white club’s technical secretary remained intensely loyal to Don Benito’s coach, even as doubts from the Extremadura technician surfaced after a striking debut. In Alicante, just before Christmas, the tension remains palpable.
Lolo Escobar asks Hercules to terminate his contract
Inside the SAD, owned by the Ortiz family, there is growing frustration that hinders the Alicante club from negotiating smoothly with Cadiz. The ministerial figure negotiates in close circles, privately weighing how far the plan can bend before it breaks. The eldest Escobar brother has publicly urged direct involvement, adding pressure to the process.
Time presses on the stagnant Hércules coach, who needs a quick, efficient setup to lead the team into its first summer sessions. With the First RFEF club already facing a wave of emergencies, the situation tests everyone’s resolve and strategic patience.
No deal will be finalized until the technical secretariat aligns the terms with the new coach
The top leadership in blue and white must weigh fair compensation and a clear path forward. The contract will not be formalized until Lolo Escobar’s replacement signs the document and secures his status as Hercules coach.
No one expects the coach to abandon the project entirely, and the option to return to the bench remains possible only if a suitable substitute emerges from among released professionals who can tackle the club’s historic challenges. The Extremadura coach faces intense pressure to respond effectively in a historic, media-saturated setting as he weighs his options.
Extremadura’s manager must shorten negotiation time to join Algeciras pre-season on schedule
Had Escobar signaled a desire to leave after not achieving his goals, he would have been granted a release letter. Instead, comments about ending the remaining year of the contract surfaced privately, and the club is pressing for a decision that matches that ambition.
bad move
Escobar’s choices have unsettled the plan. Algeciras seeks to accelerate negotiations and lock in a reliable trainer who can guarantee an immediate contribution. If a suitable agreement is found, Hércules risks losing a coach ready to adapt, leaving the club with few alternatives on the bench and uncertainties about the next step for Rico Pérez.
Does Lolo Escobar deserve a sequel at Hércules?
The ongoing uncertainties about promotion, media scrutiny, and the seriousness of the moment challenge Escobar’s approach. The coach remains aware of the difficult position he occupies, and the situation in both December and May has forced him to adjust his stance and ready himself for a demanding path ahead.
Centre-back Josema joins as the blues and whites’ fifth reinforcement. Hércules adds a veteran presence with substantial top-flight experience, aiming to stabilize the defense with a 1.94-meter, left-footed profile. The Spaniard, who turns 32 this December, appeared 21 times for his previous club, contributing a rare combination of height and reach to the central axis.
Josema’s arrival marks the first signing of the season, following other additions that include Marcos Mendes, Alfonso Candelas, Carlos de la Nava, and Roger Colomina. The newly strengthened backline complements an effort to rebuild the squad while trusting Escobar to guide the team through recovery from a significant knee injury, with renewed focus and confidence in his abilities.