Although the movement had been growing for years, the club moved to formalize it without hesitation. Ninety minutes after signing one of the most controversial chapters in Hercules history, the organization announced that Luis Castillo would soon become president of the blue-and-white club, stressing his mandate would include full control over both corporate and sports management, with autonomy at every decision level. The news did not sit well with fans, given Castillo’s past at Lucentum. For Enrique Ortiz, in the midst of a difficult season and still mathematically distant from safety, Castillo’s appointment appeared as the ideal shield for the largest shareholder, who had endured numerous public clashes with an injured supporter on the previous Sunday. Castillo’s presence promised to centralize decision-making and attract intense media attention, potentially overshadowing other voices within the club. In past years, Lucentum’s run toward Europe involved playoff appearances in the ACB and the King’s Cup, yet those glory years came at a heavy price. At Hercules, every action, every word, and even silence carries significant weight, a constraint amplified by the club’s position at the bottom of national football.
Luis Castillo, the new head of Hercules
Caesar Hernandez
A DREAM
Castillo has always hoped to become Hercules’ strongest leader
Luis Castillo is set to fulfill a long-held ambition as Hercules appoints a new president next week. The Alicante businessman will wear the blue and white suit when Enrique Ortiz grants him full authority to perform his duties. The former Lucentum president will confront a deep institutional crisis, a fresh sports project started from scratch after this season’s failure, and the tense mood among fans, who feel they have been let down by the succession of seasons turning into a farce. Castillo will deliver his first remarks on Wednesday as Hercules’ new president, stepping into the role with the aim of reshaping the club’s existence and easing the strained atmosphere at Rico Pérez. His initial decisions will shape the future, and the club brace for impact as ownership hands over control.
AROUND
tense atmosphere
The club is entering one of its most delicate moments in recent memory. The ongoing season finds the team in a difficult league position, and the province can count five clubs moving up to the next tier. Fan disappointment runs deep, and the sense of decline grows with each passing year.
Fan’s cry against Castillo
Caesar Hernandez
A BIG SHIFT IN SPORTS MANAGEMENT
Will Paco Peña stay on as technical secretary?
The plan is to keep Paco Peña in the technical secretary role, while bringing in someone new to bolster the sporting department. A director who has Castillo’s trust is also in the mix. Peña’s recent rough reception from Rico Pérez last Sunday underscored the challenges ahead as the leadership transition begins.
CONTRACTS
Decisions about players and coach
Expect tense and intricate negotiations in the days ahead. One of the first questions is whether Lolo Escobar will remain under contract, given he has another year left. The coach leaves behind a season marked by poor results and unmet goals, forcing the club to weigh continuity against change. Discussions will also focus on players who are not considered essential, such as Ander Vitoria or Sergio Marcos, with the club signaling that some contracts will not be renewed after the season’s disappointing finish. Castillo will arrive Monday and begin a series of meetings with every department before launching the new project. He faces a challenging start, but his experience with tough environments may help him steer through the headwinds.
_casting the future, Castillo will be at Rico Pérez to outline his plan and set the tone for what comes next, arriving with a sense of purpose and readiness to navigate the club through a period of upheaval._