Ricardo Íñiguez Set to Lead Viña Albali Valdepeñas
A new chapter begins for Viña Albali Valdepeñas as the club announces Ricardo Íñiguez as their next head coach. After eleven days of uncertainty following David Ramos’s departure on November 18, club president Luis Palencia has finalized an agreement with the experienced Valencian tactician.
The search for a new coach proved challenging, with initial top candidates tied to existing contracts abroad. The club explored multiple options, including potential coaches from Indonesia, Thailand, Kazakhstan, and China. Negotiations with several candidates did not ultimately bear fruit.
Íñiguez comes to the role fresh off his recent stint coaching the Libyan national futsal team, a position he held since February 2023. His futsal coaching credentials are impressive, having previously guided the Equatorial Guinea national team and achieved notable success with Maristas and Peñíscola, including a promotion to the First Division. He also served as an assistant coach for Levante UD FS.
The 45-year-old coach recently experienced the devastating effects of DANA (a severe atmospheric phenomenon) in Valencia, demonstrating his community spirit by volunteering in cleanup efforts in Benetússer, helping friends restore their homes and businesses.
Currently, the team sits second to last in the league standings with only 3 points from eight matches. Interim coach Víctor Beas will manage the team’s final match against Wanapix Zaragoza before Íñiguez takes over.
The new coach is expected to arrive in Valdepeñas shortly to formalize his contract. His potential debut is anticipated for Saturday, December 10, in a match against Noia Portus Apostoli. Following this, he’ll have a FIFA national team break to work with the squad before facing challenging fixtures against Osasuna Magna and Córdoba.
This appointment represents a strategic move by Viña Albali Valdepeñas to reverse their current league performance and inject new energy into the team.
