Deportivo La Coruna's Dismal Fate: Failed Promotion Bid in Third Tier of Spanish Football
Delve into the heartbreak of Deportivo La Coruna as they missed out on promotion from the third tier, forcing the former Spanish champions to remain in regional leagues Gain exclusive insights from head coach Ruben de la Barrera and discover the struggles of one of Europe's once-great teams
Deportivo La Coruna continues to suffer as they face the prospect of a fourth season in Spain's third-tier regional league. Despite being former champions of La Liga, the team's hopes were dashed after losing to Castellon in the playoffs. The defeat was devastatingly dramatic, with Deportivo initially falling behind by two goals before rallying to take the lead, only to concede an equalizer in the final minute. The team remains in a state of limbo, waiting for a chance to regroup and rise again.
Content: Deportivo's goalkeeper was red-carded, while Castellon missed the penalty that followed. In extra-time, Depor took the lead once again, but unfortunately, their fate was sealed when Castellon scored the final equaliser in the 108th minute. Despite two hours of intense play, Castellon advanced to the next round due to their superior league ranking.
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Lucas Perez, the beloved former Arsenal and West Ham forward, expressed his sorrow over the team's recent setback. Having returned to the club with the intention of leading them back to their former glory, Perez had previously shown his loyalty and skill to Deportivo as recently as 2018. Despite his disappointment, he offered words of encouragement, stating that no one should be held responsible and that they must continue to fight on with their heads held high.
There are still those who are not ready to let go. The ones who couldn't travel the 750 miles and instead lined the streets, fixated on the colossal screen, witnessing the spectacle before them. The aftermath has left a bitter taste, with many pointing fingers and placing blame. "We aimed to be the first, yet we ended up fourth," lamented Deportivo's captain, Alex Bergantino, "we must have made a multitude of mistakes."
Deportivo's glory days, featuring the likes of Djalminha, Roy Makaay and Juan Carlos Valeron, are now mere memories. Eugenio Cobas, a journalist with Coruna-based newspaper La Opinion, sums up Deportivo's fate as a club that experiences cycles of success and failure, resurrection and eventual collapse on the shore.
It is unfortunate that this stark reminder of defeat occurred on June 11, exactly one year after their previous failed attempt to rise above the third tier. However, it is worth noting that the coach involved in both instances was the same - Ruben de la Barrera. In the previous season, he was at the helm of the Albacete team that dashed Deportivo's promotion aspirations. Interestingly, he had been the coach of Deportivo the season before. When reflecting on his former team's achievement, he admitted that he was unable to fully celebrate the way he wanted to as a coach.
"It was a challenging situation to confront. Just picture Sir Alex Ferguson leading Tottenham and triumphing over the league at Old Trafford. Although not on the same level, this scenario is comparable to what Deportivo means to me and what Manchester United signifies to him."
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Ruben de la Barrera returned as head coach of Deportivo La Coruna in mid-May
After speaking with De la Barrera, his return to Deportivo was confirmed just days later. The club brought him in for the last two games of the regular season, following a disappointing run of one win in five games that ended their chance of automatic promotion. De La Barrera, who hails from La Coruna and considers Deportivo his club, was visibly emotional upon his return. However, the constant changes in coaching staff and leadership over the past five years have left the club in a state of disarray, with De La Barrera being their third coach this season alone.
As much as they had achieved in the past, it was time to face their present reality. Living in the past was no longer an option and they had to embrace the demands of the present. Upon arrival in 2021, they were faced with the challenge of creating a process that would not only secure promotion but also establish a solid foundation. Despite the difficulties, the team had made significant progress in laying the groundwork for future success, but patience was key as it would take time to fully realize their goals.
During his absence, time was not utilized effectively. The decision to stick with Borja Jimenez at the beginning of the season and subsequently replace him in October, followed by the appointment of Oscar Cano, did not yield positive results. Although five new signings arrived in January, only one of them has seen any game time. The financial situation also remains a concern, with Galician bank Abanca now owning 80% of the shares and making all major decisions. In addition, the two men currently serving as de facto sporting directors have offered their resignations, indicating further changes may be on the horizon.
"The present is a consequence of the past," said De la Barrera.
And yet, this is still Deportivo La Coruna.
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De la Barrera missed out on experiencing the full power of the team due to the pandemic during his first time around. However, he was able to witness it this time. In his first game in charge, the team secured a 4-0 win, which was a great start. The team also faced Castellon in the first leg, with an exciting backdrop.
On that day, the Riazor was packed with 29,000 fans, mostly season-ticket holders. Playing for a team like Deportivo comes with great advantages, but also immense pressure that not everyone can handle. Despite this, Lucas Perez remains committed to wearing the club's shirt, stating that he will continue to do so until he retires or is no longer wanted. And he has the support of one of the strongest academies in the country, which is quite unexpected.
Retaining De la Barrera would be beneficial for the team's long-term rebuilding process. As a talented young coach, he has already shown promising potential, and his departure in the past was regrettable. However, during his time away, he utilized the opportunity to grow and improve his coaching abilities by travelling to various locations both nationally and internationally. De la Barrera's dedication to self-improvement is a testament to his commitment to the team's success.
As the club continues to navigate through its challenges, it is important to maintain the type of forward-thinking that will pave the way for future success. As the team and its supporters reflect on their journey home from Castellon, it is clear that difficult decisions must be made in order to turn the tide. Despite the uncertainty, one thing remains certain - Deportivo La Coruna's struggles persist.
