After six months of constant threat and dramatic fighting, Real Zaragoza signed last night against Castellón their permanence in the Second Division, avoiding a descent that, with 71 million of net debt, would most likely have meant its disappearance 89 years after its foundation and nine titles in its showcases. And no one has been more protagonist or more relevant to this salvation than Juan Ignacio Martínez, the miracle coach of a Zaragoza that seemed evicted in December and that has starred in a path of direct promotion.
The veteran Alicante coach has contributed from the first day experience, left hand and, above all, credibility and handling of the situation and has extracted oil from a poorly designed and poorly reinforced squad in January, with three of their main forwards (Vuckic, Toro Fernández and Álex Alegría) going on to the worst history of the club: a goal between the three. Never seen.
JIM took over a sunken team on December 13, after seven defeats in the eight games he led. Ivan Martinez, penultimate classified four points from salvation, and has led him to certify the permanence two days from the end. Without a doubt, a splendid comeback, based on keeping a clean sheet and getting the most out of the goals of the defense, of the second line or of the youthful Iván Azón.
There have, of course, been moments of doubt, such as those two consecutive draws against Logroñés and Cartagena, but JIM never lost faith or conviction and has always transmitted a prudent and realistic message, publicly granting all the merits to his players, whom he convinced with his speech from day one.
JIM has one more year of contract with Real Zaragoza, like his great supporter, the sports director Miguel Torrecillabut he doesn't want to talk about his future yet. There is a possibility that Real Zaragoza will change hands in the coming weeks and they do not want to rush. He is an old fox and wants to know before deciding.