UD Almería signs new García Pimienta contract and charts a new direction

President Mohamed Al‑Khereiji announced on 27 June 2026 that García Pimienta will continue as head coach of the Almería side with a one‑year contract and an optional extension, breaking the three‑year policy set by Turki Al‑Sheikh.

What does the new technical agreement change?

Pimienta’s deal, the former manager of Las Palmas and Sevilla, is completely different from the pact Rubi signed in 2023, which guaranteed three years without an exit clause. Al‑Khereiji said the new formula provides greater flexibility and avoids “mortgaging” the club. The contract also includes a clear target: return to La Liga before the 2026‑2027 season ends.

How does the player recruitment policy fit?

While the bench receives a more modest treatment, the player recruitment policy keeps the long‑term contract approach. Miguel de la Fuente and Brian Cipenga extended their deals until 2029, three seasons each, maintaining the salary stability strategy adopted under former director Alfonso García.

De la Fuente, who arrived in the winter window, played 25 matches (23 as a starter) and scored five goals with five assists. Cipenga, a fast winger with nine goals and ten assists in 47 games for Castellón, adds speed and imbalance to Almería’s attack.

What does this new direction mean for the 2026‑2027 season?

Al‑Khereiji made it clear that the goal remains promotion to the Liga de las Estrellas. The mix of a coach on a flexible contract and key players on medium‑term deals aims to build a sustainable project without sacrificing competitiveness.

The president also reminded that the club exercised the purchase option for the Leganés striker, solidifying the squad with players already familiar with the project’s philosophy. With these moves, UD Almería hopes to finish the campaign among the top spots of Segunda División and return to Spain’s top tier.

How are fans and media reacting?

UD Almería supporters greeted the news with cautious optimism. Local analysts note that not tying the coach to a rigid contract could prevent future issues if results are slow to arrive. Nevertheless, the pressure to achieve promotion stays high, and the next round of fixtures will be decisive in measuring the impact of these changes.