JAL returns to La Rosaleda with an unsettled past at Málaga

JAL returns to La Rosaleda without ever having lost to Málaga. The visit brings an uneasy relationship with his former club back into focus: his spell in charge ended amid strong social pressure, when Manolo Gaspar, then sporting director, chose to part ways with him. Years later, Gaspar admitted that the decision had been a mistake. For the Asturian, his time on the Costa del Sol had become a painful chapter.

At La Rosaleda during the 2021-22 season, JAL had seen an opportunity to take an important step in his career. His aim was to lead a medium-term project and take the team back to Primera División. But the situation in the dressing room deteriorated quickly, and the heavy 0-5 defeat to Ibiza at Martiricos hastened his dismissal.

After leaving, he continued to address his former team in public appearances and social media posts. His visits to La Rosaleda as Racing de Santander coach also brought further messages directed at the club. His desire to get good results at Martiricos did not go unnoticed either.

José Alberto López said on one occasion: “We have been promoted with a style of play different from the one used in the second division.” He also said: “For the first time, I felt like a real professional coach after my previous experiences. They gave me the chance to develop a project that was completed with this promotion.” Marca reported that many interpreted those remarks as a comparison with his earlier spell at Málaga.

In 2024, before returning to the Costa del Sol, JAL spoke again about his dismissal: “I was happy there; I think they were very unfair to me, terribly unfair. […] To make those decisions, you have to analyse much more than one result.” A gesture had also provided significant financial relief for Málaga at a particularly difficult time for the club’s finances. On the pitch, Málaga have not beaten a team managed by José Alberto since JAL left; before arriving at La Rosaleda, the coach had also avoided defeat against the Málaga side.