SEATTLE - Charismatic, unorthodox and kind of an unique individual, Javier 'Vasco' Aguirre made history with Real Mallorca by reaching this season's Copa del Rey final after a dramatic penalty shootout against Real Sociedad. This means the Mexican manager has guided the team to their first cup final in more than 20 years.
👹 La locura mallorquinista antes de la tanda de penaltis.#LaCopaMola #LaCasaDelFútbol @RCD_Mallorca pic.twitter.com/BpbFXtb2o6
— Fútbol en Movistar Plus+ (@MovistarFutbol) February 27, 2024
After arriving to a struggling team in March 2022, Aguirre faced a tough job: saving the club from a relegation battle. When he joined, Mallorca was 18th in the LaLiga table and all indicators pointed at it going down, but thanks to 'El Vasco's' work, the team finished in 16th, winning four of its last nine LaLiga games and avoiding relegation.
Almost two years later, he has transformed Mallorca from a bottom-of-the-league team into a Copa del Rey finalist. His mannerisms and way of approaching the game might not be traditional, but the charismatic Mexican manager has found success at most of the teams he has led.
After a successful stint in Liga MX, Aguirre moved to Europe and began what has been a legendary coaching career in Spain.
His long trajectory in LaLiga has him as the third Latino with the most matches managed in the history of Spain's top division. Only Manuel Pellegrini (472) and Diego Simeone (466) have managed more games than 'El Vasco' (454) in LaLiga history.
Even though he has spent most of his managerial career in Spain, Aguirre is still missing a trophy in the Iberian peninsula. He won a Liga MX title with Pachuca in 1999 and added a few more trophies to his cabinet during a two-year adventure with UAE club Al-Wahda FC. Most recently, Aguirre guided Mexican team Monterrey to their fifth CONCACAF Champions League crown in 2021 before returning to Spain.
Even though he has had a few setbacks and fiascos during his almost 30-year career, Aguirre has consolidated himself as one of the few Mexican coaches to be brave enough and leave their comfort zone for an opportunity overseas.
Whatever happens in the final, 'El Vasco' has already made history with Mallorca, reaching the fourth Copa del Rey final in club history and the first one in more than 20 years since winning their first -and only- Copa del Rey title in 2003. The Spanish club has only won two major trophies in more than 100 years of existence, and 'El Vasco' will have a huge opportunity to add another one to the team's trophy cabinet in April.
© 2024 Latin Times. All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
