"I don't know if it's fair or unfair, but I'm here"
Pacheta impressed on his first day as he sets out to prove the doubters wrong.
Villarreal’s new coach arrived in town on Monday, and was keen to make a strong first impression. Pacheta was officially unveiled as the new captain of the Yellow Submarine and provided plenty of great lines and substance in his press conference.
It would be fair to say the reaction to his appointment has been mixed at best. Pacheta’s only previous jobs in the elite level of Spanish football were at clubs with the sole objective of avoiding relegation.
His first stint in LaLiga was at Numancia, the club at which he ended his playing career, but the sporting director only had 15 games and was unable to save them from relegation in 2008/09.
After spells in lower leagues, Poland and Thailand, he took Elche from Segunda B to LaLiga. But to the dismay of many, he was not given the chance to coach them in the top flight, dispensed with after the play-off final victory.
Huesca did take a chance on him, after Míchel was sacked. Pacheta took over with the club bottom of the league and improved their fortunes dramatically, but just fell short by two points. He then took Real Valladolid back up to Primera, but was sacked in the subsequent season with the club in trouble, but outside of the relegation zone. Pucela ultimately went down under their new coach Paulo Pezzolano.
So three promotions and two direct relegations on his CV, but mitigating circumstances apply. To go from those to a club in Europe is undoubtedly a step change, but why should that necessarily preclude him from the opportunity?
The complication is clearly the expectations of Villarreal fans. This time last year, they were coached by multiple Europa League champion Unai Emery. Now they are bringing in a coach who has never even coached in European competition. Most were pleased to see Quique Setién depart, but they had more grandiose names on their wishlist, from Julen Lopetegui to Marcelo Gallardo.
In front of the press, Pacheta openly addressed all of these concerns. When asked about his lack of experience, he answered:
“I have no doubts. I have no experience in Europe but I will get it quickly. I didn’t have experience of promotions either, but I achieved them. I demand ambition from myself and the club does too. If ambition is controlled, it is one of the best virtues of being human”.
He was under no illusions about the steep learning curve he is about to embark on, The club is set to play seven games in three weeks, so he will have to get settled in quickly.
“It is a great pride that Villarreal bet on me. I come with baggage in the football world. I have a style of play and group management similar to Villarreal. It is the best team we have trained, but I am convinced that we are going to manage it. If I didn’t see myself capable, I wouldn’t come”.
Many have compared the appointment to that of José Luis Mendilibar at Sevilla, a coach who had forged a career in the lower reaches of the top flight, suddenly thrust into a European level club with altogether loftier ambitions. Indeed, on our recent podcast, Paco Polit discussed the elite coaching drought in LaLiga, with a brain drain to the Premier League in particular.
Pacheta is not overawed by this challenge, rather relishing the chance to demonstrate his credentials with a higher calibre set of players. His takeaway message, the headline for fans to latch onto, was one of hope and confidence: ilusión as they say in Spain.
“I want the players to believe in me. If I succeed, we can achieve unimaginable things”.
Whatever your view of Pacheta and his track record so far, it is hard not to warm to his personality and his positive outlook on life. This blend of self-confidence and humility convinces a lot of people, not least the assembled press who gave him a round of applause at the end of his presentation.
Pacheta’s home town translates as ‘infants rooms’ (Salas de las Infantes), and he has endured his share of playground knocks. Now is the time for him to graduate and prove all his doubters wrong. However he gets on, he and his team will be highly entertaining.