“I am leaving, but my heart stays here in Elche.” This is how club manager Pacheta finished his final press conference as Elche coach. A video appearance, without questions, he was accompanied by the president, JoaquĆ­n Buitrago, as well as a number of the club’s coaching staff, players and employees. And at the conference he made it clear that he wished to continue.

But despite having led Elche from Second B to First in three seasons, the club’s owner, football agent Christian Bragarnik, wants to replace him with a more experienced manager.

Even before the release of Pacheta had been made public Bragarnik had announced that his Argentinean countryman, Jorge AlmirĆ³n, would be the new man at the helm.

Joining from Saudi Arabian club Al-Shabab FC, who currently sit in mid table in the recently resumed league, AlmirĆ³n has had some managerial success in Columbia, Mexico and Argentina.

With no summer break following their extended playoff campaign AlmirĆ³n will be joining the club this coming week, along with his team of assistants, and is said to be looking forward to the coming season which gets underway in just 2 weeks time.