Rebuilding Deportivo La Coruña: From Ruin to Glory

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Rebuilding Deportivo La Coruña: From Ruin to Glory

Twenty years ago, Deportivo La Coruña stood at the pinnacle of Spanish football, capturing their first-ever La Liga title in 2000. The "Super Depor" era was marked by unforgettable moments, including a Copa del Rey triumph over Real Madrid during their centenary celebrations. However, those glory days are now a distant memory.

Financial mismanagement, mounting debts, and poor results triggered a dramatic fall. Relegations in 2011, 2013, 2018, and finally in 2020 plunged the once-proud club into turmoil. By the end of the 2020 season, Deportivo languished at the bottom of Spain’s second division—a shadow of their former selves, with fans branding the club a joke.

Now, three years later, I’ve taken charge of Deportivo La Coruña with a dream of restoring their former glory. From the third tier to the summit of La Liga and European dominance, this story will chronicle every step of the journey. Can we bring "Super Depor" back? Let’s find out!

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The Wilko Era Begins...

With no coaching badges and only Sunday league experience as a player, I’m not exactly a top-tier candidate! To make things even more interesting—I don’t speak Spanish. Off to a flying start, right? But we’re here to give Deportivo our absolute best shot.

High expectations surround us—both from the board and the fans. Promotion is the clear goal this season, and with the squad we’ve inherited, it feels like a realistic target. Interestingly, many of the club’s older players aren’t looking for long-term contracts. Hopefully, that won’t hinder negotiations, particularly when trying to secure new deals for key players like Lucas Pérez.

The club has been on a steady decline over the last decade, but the future doesn’t have to follow the same path. Deportivo boasts a massive stadium, a passionate fanbase, and excellent facilities for this level. With these assets, we can build a fresh team capable of climbing back up the leagues in the coming years.

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Meet the Team...

Nine of the current first-team squad are over 30, which means squad rotation will be crucial this season. Unfortunately, many of these veterans are also our best players, so we’ll need to rely on them heavily. Players like Pérez, Martínez, and Villares are far too talented for this level, so keeping hold of them will be a significant advantage.

That said, the squad has some noticeable gaps, especially at center-back and holding midfield. With a few smart moves in the transfer market and some clever loan deals, we should be in a strong position for the campaign ahead.

Our backroom staff is already in great shape, with a strong foundation to build upon. By the end of the transfer window, I’m confident we’ll have an even stronger team of coaches to guide us through the season.

Financially, the club is finally in a stable position after years of chaos. However, our wage bill remains high, so we’ll need to carefully assess any long-term commitments to players. Securing promotion this season is crucial to sustaining our progress.

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I’ll post a short update on our summer transfer dealings before we kick off the season. Stay tuned!

#Depor

 

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Summer Transfer Review

So, let’s say this summer didn’t go exactly as planned. But in the end, we’re in a great place—so there’s not much to moan about!

1. Outgoings

Cayarga and Val have both moved on, making a bit of money for the club and freeing up some wiggle room in the budget, which is always welcome. I was hoping to offload a couple more pieces of deadwood, but with so many new players from the previous regime still around, it’s been tough to attract offers.

2. Incomings

Now for the fun part! I’ve made great use of the loan market to address key gaps in the squad:

• Simic: A star player who strengthens our back line.
• Alexsander: A versatile CM addition who can fill in at LB too.
• Joaquin: Adds valuable depth on the wing.
• Fermin: The final piece of the puzzle, taking up the attacking midfielder role for the year.

On top of the loans, I’ve brought in a few permanent signings:

• Weverton: A promising youth player to back up Pérez upfront.
• Campos: Our new number 1 goalkeeper.
• Ofoborh: A versatile squad option who can play both CM and CB when needed.

We now have a pretty bloated squad. With registration restrictions in mind, a few players have been moved to the reserves, and I’ll look to move them on in January if possible.

Looking Ahead
With the squad settled, it’s time to kick off the season and aim to tick off that first promotion from our list. Let’s see how it goes!

 

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Mid-Season Review

As we hit the halfway point of the season, the Deportivo La Coruña's rebuild continues. From strong financial management to some outstanding league performances, the journey to restore this historic club to its former glory is well underway. Here’s how things are shaping up so far…

Results & Table

We currently sits atop the Primera Federación Group I table with 62 points from 22 matches. We’ve won 20 games, drawn 2, and remains unbeaten. A goal difference of +66 highlights both an impenetrable defense and a relentless attack.

Consistency in both home and away fixtures has been the hallmark of this team. The squad’s depth and tactical flexibility have allowed us to dominate opponents week in, week out.

With 16 games remaining, promotion is well within reach, and an unbeaten league campaign remains a possibility too!

Transfers

The January transfer window has been a busy one, with a mix of free transfers, loans, and sales reshaping the squad.

Key Arrivals:

• Marc Navarro (Free): A solid addition at right back for us.
• Leny Yoro (Loan from Lille): Brings youthful energy and defensive solidity.
• Leo Sauer (Loan from Feyenoord): Adds creativity and flair to the attack, much needed depth add to.
• Diego Altube (Free): Provides depth and competition in the goalkeeping department.
• Osmar (Free): A strong centre mid and centre back depth add. Pretty old but still has quality left to use.

Some Notable Departures:

• Diego Villares (£575k to Granada): A tough loss but a necessary move to balance the books after refusing a new deal.
• Pablo Martínez (£15.75k to Toulouse): Another significant outgoing, but it paves the way for new talent.
• Iker Alday (Loan to Marbella): A chance for the youngster to gain valuable first-team experience after just being brought into the club.

The transfer strategy has been clear: strengthen key areas without overspending, while giving young players opportunities elsewhere.

The second half of the season promises to be just as thrilling: The aim is to secure promotion and potentially completing the season unbeaten. Hopefully we can progress further in the cup but Im not expecting too much more! The ultimate goal remains a return to La Liga, and with performances like these, it seems more a matter of when, not if.

Financial Stability

The financial graph paints a promising picture for the club’s future. Starting from a balance of just under £6m in July, Our finances have steadily grown, reaching an impressive £10.2m by February 2024. Smart player sales and consistent performances have bolstered the club’s coffers. This financial stability is a crucial foundation as we aim to climb the Spanish football pyramid.