Hercules has seen its standing wane as the club landscape in Spain shifted, leaving the once-dominant institution in a slower orbit within the hierarchy. A little over a decade after serving as the definitive model for a top-tier club in the Valencian region, the club based in Alicante now finds itself in a competitive environment where multiple local rivals vie for advancement. Elche, Alcoyano, Intercity, La Nucía, and Eldense have all earned spots in higher divisions, with Elche reaching the Santander League and the others competing in the Primera RFEF, the third tier of Spanish football. The regional dynamic remains intense as several teams from the same province push into higher levels next season.
Over time, Hercules built a balanced but fiercely contested rivalry with its longtime adversary, the Franjiverde team. In 2010, Elche reached the pinnacle before surpassing Hercules in the following years. Since then, Elche’s ascent has widened the gap in the overall standings, creating a distance that now spans multiple tiers in Spanish football. The shift reshaped the regional pecking order and reshuffled prestige among the two clubs and their neighbors.
Hercules has spent 20 seasons at the top level. They are set to visit Elche on August 24, and in the dozen years since, they have achieved promotions to the first division twice, earned a second-tier finish once, and maintained top-flight status on four occasions. Deportivo Alcoyano, a club that became a regional standard in the 1950s, has also reached the Primera RFEF in recent campaigns, marking a notable return to higher competition for a provincial powerhouse.
Joining the familiar rivalry are clubs historically distant from the Blues and Whites, such as Deportivo Eldense and La Nucía, both of whom have played league games in the past against the Hercules system. Intercity, established in 2017, also joined the competitive arena. For the first time in memory, Hercules will not be the standout club in the city, given how the league table currently places each team. This situation marks an unusual moment in the capital’s football history as several regional clubs contend for prominence in the same city.
When the Blues and Whites faced off against their city rival Alicante Football Club in different rounds of the Second and Second B divisions, the former struggled to push past the latter. Alicante FC’s small footprint has kept them from overtaking Hercules, even though the latter has faced some significant challenges during its relatively short five-year stretch in the more demanding tiers.
As the football calendar evolves, one certainty remains: Enrique Ortiz has led Hercules since January 2010 as the club’s primary owner. He has not signaled a retreat from SAD control, and Sergio Mora, who previously took the helm as the team’s on-field leader after declaring winter form, is not slated to return to the bench in September—though an official announcement has yet to be made. The football club’s director of sport, a roleCore held by Caramel, remains under contract through June 30, continuing to shape the team’s strategic decisions.
Around 600 people on the street want Enrique Ortiz to leave Hércules
The public conversation around the club has grown, with a sizeable segment of supporters calling for a change in leadership. The sentiment reflects broader questions about the direction of the team, its financial health, and its competitive prospects in the near future. While demonstrations and public discourse can be part of a healthy sports ecosystem, the leadership remains focused on stability and long-term planning, recognizing that sustainable progress requires both strong governance and steady on-field performance.
Sergio Mora confirms split from Hercules
In a development that underscores continued shifts within the club, Sergio Mora has confirmed a separation from Hércules. The move closes a chapter in the coaching and management story, with speculation about the future direction of the team now front and center. The club remains focused on establishing a clear plan for the upcoming season, balancing youth development, competitive ambition, and the financial realities that shape Spanish football today.