UD LANZAROTE TERMINATES THE CONTRACT OF THE MANAGER AND HIS ASSISTANT
Over the past couple of weeks rumours had been circulating regarding the relationship with the club and the immediate team management, however the club couldn’t confirm anything until an agreement with the two parties had been made.
Many supporters of the Rojillos will be wondering what on earth is going on. Manager Leonel Pipa Gancedo and training coach Roberto Infantino have been in charge of Lanzarote´s 14 matches and remain undefeated and are sitting on top of the league.
There is no doubt that this season Lanzarote has a superb squad of young talented footballers mixed with a variety of local experienced players and should be competing for the top positions in the league table. Even with this, the training and tactical part of football was deemed to be not to the same standard by many who are involved with these sessions.
The club felt that to maintain its intent of competing for the top positions it had to change direction. It is a difficult yet brave decision that will be frowned upon by many people and should Lanzarote drop in form in their forthcoming matches there will be plenty of people who will enjoy and have the fuel to criticize.
The club has the backing of all of their players and it seems that none will be leaving in the January transfer window, on the contrary there are a couple of reinforcements to help fight for the promotion battle ahead.
Two weeks ago the club brought back their popular training coach Francis Alija who had spent many seasons with UD Lanzarote and it is he who will be leading the team in this Sundays away match in Fuerteventura and until a new manager has been appointed.
This is a time for us fans to get behind Francis and the players to strive to achieve the goal for this season set out by players, management and every fan by fighting for promotion to RFEF 2 (Fourth Tier).
At the beginning of the season a good finish to the campaign would be to at least reach the playoffs. With three matches still remaining to the halfway point and with four teams separated at the top by just a point, each of those teams has changed their goal. They are all at least 10 points clear of dropping out of the playoff zone and their only goal now is to be in that one and only automatic promotion spot of first place after their final match on the 12th May.
On a personal note I would like to thank Pipa and Roberto for always finding the time to chat openly to me and on behalf of all fans we are saddened that it didn’t work out but we all wish you the very best for the future.
Onwards and Upwards! Viva Sarote!!!
