FAREWELL TO THE LANZAROTE MANAGER ADOLFO PÉREZ

FAREWELL TO THE LANZAROTE MANAGER ADOLFO PÉREZ,   31st May 2017,   

The Lanzarote manager Adolfo Pérez has decided to seek pastures new and informed the club of his decision some time ago to step down and end his reign as the clubs longest serving manager.

I had the pleasure of working alongside Adolfo 12 years ago when he first took over as manager with Lanzarote in the Segunda B (League 1) and fighting off relegation. The 32 year old local boy’s first game in charge was away to the mighty Las Palmas now in the Primera Liga. He organised his defence and earned a goalless draw to give his troops the confidence that they were lacking.

32 yr old Adolfo Pérez in his first stint in charge when Lanzarote were in Segunda B.

The Rojillos (The Reds) hadn’t achieved an away win for 20 months and Adolfo ended that horrible run and kept Lanzarote in Spain’s third league. The following season with his side in another relegation battle he was somewhat unfortunate to be removed of his duties and left the island to manage in La Palma.

Since Adolfo departed there had been many managers, three in one season on one occasion and I remember hearing rumours five years ago that Adolfo Pérez was going to return as manager. I didn’t know him that well but the vibe from others in the club was good.

Me, Ian Lane and Adolfo Pérez at the end of the season.

The club at that time was in a terrible financial state with players taking months to get paid. He now leaves the club in a good financial condition and with the players paid up to date.

In the first of his five seasons the club finished a safe 14th then 12th before going on to become Sub Champions of the league for the next two years. During that time his side went over two seasons unbeaten on home soil though unfortunately the team failed to get promotion in the playoffs on both occasions.

This season expectations were high and the club did invest in several players with the one intention of promotion back to Segunda B. New signing and last season’s leading scorer in this division Dani López joined alongside the league’s second highest scorer and Lanzarote´s captain Rosmen.

Things began well with eight points in the first four matches with Dani López scoring on four occasions. Out of the blue the new striker decided to leave the club for personal reasons and a week later Rosmen suffered an injury which would keep him sidelined for three months.

The 43 home game unbeaten run was ended in dramatic style with new boys CD Buzanada winning 1-5. From then Lanzarote just couldn’t get it right and anything that could go wrong, did and Lanzarote crumbled.

Adolfo and his team.

Adolfo had decided to leave the club several months before the end of the season and I am sure he will be first to admit that he had made mistakes and ultimately he was the one responsible for not at least reaching the playoffs.

Some decisions that he made this season on releasing players from the club were met with some criticism but if you want to be Mr Popular then do not become a football manager.

Adolfo at the beginning of his second term in charge.

I know Adolfo has made many friends during his second stint in charge and on behalf of the majority of UD Lanzarote fans I would like to thank him for all that he has done for the club over the last five years.

He has helped the club not only as the manager but behind the scenes in sponsorship and marketing, he definitely moved the club forward.

A few of us showing our thanks to Adolfo for the time he has spent with the club.

Nobody can doubt his love for UD Lanzarote and his passion for his native island and that is for sure. I have a sneaky suspicion in years to come the 44 year old may return afresh and once again take over the helm of the good ship UD Lanzarote.

HASTA PRONTO ADOLFO