In the second part of the interview the coach reflects on his journey into professional football and his arrival at Albacete.
In this segment of Rubén Albés’ interview, the Galician coach discusses his entry into Spanish professional football, the call from Tino Saqués, the challenging stint at Lugo, and the breakout moment at Albacete, where he has become a standout coach guiding a team in the First Division playoff race despite a tight budget.
The conversation opens with Lugo. How did that chance come about?
Life presented an opportunity when Lugo offered a chance to a coach with little experience, someone who could be considered a bold pick. A video conference followed a surprising phone call, and a mutual understanding emerged. The coach drew on a prior experience in Romania to convince Lugo’s leadership that he could handle the transition from a lower division to the next level. It felt like a gamble that paid off in the long run.
What stands out about Tino Saqués?
His experience with Saqués left a lasting impression. The coach is grateful for taking a risk and for a president who acts with humanity and humor, while also being willing to make unconventional decisions when he believes in a project. The collaboration is built on open dialogue, reflection, and a shared belief in long-term potential, even as Lugo had spent many seasons in the Second Division. The relationship between leadership and staff is described as strong, with a sense of mutual respect.
“In Lugo’s first season we were close to relegation, losing 0-1 to Mirandés and facing a controversial penalty in the final minutes.”
How did the team recover from a near-relegation scenario in seven days?
Beyond the players’ effort, a streak of good fortune and timely changes underpinned the rescue. A dramatic win away at Vallecas against a playoff-ready opponent sparked a positive shift. From there, the team built stability for the following season in the Second Division. Several key moments, including a pair of late penalties that went their way, helped convert a precarious situation into a lasting turn of momentum.
The Lugo team in the second season became more conspicuous than the first, right?
The emphasis was still on defense, but the squad grew in both direct play and starting actions. There was a clear shift toward balance between the right and left sides and a growing sense of identity. The players earned recognition for their resolve and for progressing in their professional lives, with a style that blended stubborn defense with meaningful offensive intent.
“The move to Albacete was not my plan, but the opportunity grew on me and I am very happy now.”
The Andalucian team arrived as a surprising choice, given Albés’s perceived readiness for a higher-profile project. Why did the decision to join Albacete feel right?
Two colleagues on the staff and the agent both persuaded him to take the step. When he sat down with the sporting leadership, the fit was obvious. There was a strong personal connection, and despite concerns about a recently promoted project and the challenges of a refreshed squad, the decision felt correct in hindsight because of the growth and happiness it has brought. The choice is framed as a timely risk that paid off.
The sports management is highlighted as a central element of the operation, with a close working relationship appearing essential to success.
“Today a club cannot succeed without good harmony between the coaching staff and the sports management. The final calls on transfers and casualties rest with the management, but it is vital to identify needs, profiles, and a shared line for building a team under tighter financial constraints.”
“We pursued a clear approach: players who defend with hunger, many of them young and energetic, with an offensive mindset that matches the club’s limited resources.”
The coach has already become well known in the second tier, but how would he describe the team’s approach or style?
“The gutter style remains a bold team that attacks to score and is eager to reveal itself, while acknowledging a reality that requires humility. The aim is to face every rival with belief in what each player can contribute, using their strengths as a collective force.”
Trainers often have short tenures, yet there are exceptions. Does Albés see himself staying long at Albacete or aiming higher like a renowned figure in the sport?
“I do not see myself stagnating at any club. I want to keep growing, testing myself in different environments, and learning from new challenges. I have extended for two seasons, a relatively long stretch in this sport, but I am open to future changes if they help me evolve. It is about pushing boundaries and embracing the journey.”
Could a dream scenario involve coaching a team like Celta, given his roots in Vigo?
“There is a genuine emotional tie to Celta, and if the moment ever comes, I would be very happy. Yet it is not something I treat as a fixed dream. Things can happen in football, sometimes more easily than expected, sometimes not, but I remain open to possibilities.”
With the rise of new playing styles, what does success look like for Albés in practice?
“Success comes from doing what you intend with the players you have. I believe the best football is the one that allows players to shine. Styles are often labels, and I am flexible enough to adapt to the strengths of the squad. Winning matters most, and if the team scores more than the opponent, fans leave happy.”
“The natural team should flow without forcing it. A good balance emerges when relationships are built that allow players to express themselves and defend with energy while maintaining offensive intent.”
“If I could tell my 2010 self one thing, it would be to stay humble, enjoy the journey, and truly savor the profession.”
What final advice would the coach offer to someone starting in Burjassot in 2010?
“Be humble, enjoy every moment beyond the result of a single weekend, and understand the players are all different. It is essential to adapt with fewer dogmatic rules in managing a dressing room and to recognize the difficulty and cruelty of the profession.”
At the end, the interview offers a candid portrait of a coach who has navigated early risks, learned to balance ambition with realism, and found fulfillment in guiding a growing team in a demanding league. (Goal)