Rayo Vallecano hires Íñigo Pérez as new boss after sacking Francisco
Rayo Vallecano has announced the arrival of Íñigo Pérez as their new head coach, following the dismissal of Francisco Rodríguez on Tuesday. Pérez, who was the assistant manager of Andoni Iraola last season, returns to the club where he helped them achieve promotion to LaLiga.
The 36-year-old Pérez signed a contract until the end of the season, with an option to extend it for another year if he manages to keep Rayo in the top flight. He will be presented to the media on Wednesday at 14:00 hours.
Pérez faces a tough challenge, as Rayo is currently in the relegation zone, with 18 points from 22 games. The Madrid-based team has lost their last three matches, including a 4-0 thrashing by Real Sociedad on Sunday.
Pérez is a former player who spent most of his career in the lower divisions of Spanish football. He retired in 2019 and joined Iraola’s staff at Mirandés, where they reached the semifinals of the Copa del Rey. He followed Iraola to Rayo in 2020, but left the club in the summer to join him at Bournemouth. However, he could not obtain a work permit in the UK and returned to Spain.
Pérez is known for his tactical knowledge and his ability to motivate players. He will try to implement a dynamic and attacking style of play, similar to the one that Iraola used at Rayo. He will also count on the support of the fans, who welcomed him back with enthusiasm.
Rayo’s next game is on Saturday, when they will host Celta Vigo at the Vallecas Stadium. Pérez will have little time to prepare his debut, but he hopes to start his tenure with a positive result. He will also have to deal with some injuries and suspensions in his squad.
Pérez is the third coach that Rayo has hired this season, after Iraola and Francisco. He will try to avoid the fate of his predecessors and lead Rayo to safety. He has the confidence of the club and the players, who believe that he is the right man for the job.
