Manzano’s contract not to be renewed

CEO of Real Mallorca Mateo Alemany has today confirmed that he will not be renewing the contract of manager Gregorio Manzano despite the fantastic season he’s had. Spanish journalist Guillem Balague commented earlier in the year that he felt Manzano would leave because “even though he isn’t one of the highest earners, he still earns too much,” and the announcement seems to have proved him correct.

In an interview a month or so ago, Manzano seemed to know he was leaving the club in the way he spoke about what things Mallorca must continue to do that Manzano has put in place if they want to continue to succeed.

Manzano first took charge of the Islanders in the 2002/2003 season where he took home the Copa del Rey and also masterminded his sides 5-1 thrashing of Real Madrid. He then left for underachievers Atletico Madrid but returned to Palma de Mallorca in 2006. This season his side has managed to keep a terrific home form only bettered by Barcelona and Real Madrid, helping them to fifth in the league with Champions League football still a possibility. And there are no doubts that he is wholly to thank for this achievement.

Mallorca fans will be sad to see him go, but grateful of the fantastic job he has done.

The club has also confirmed that Borja Valero will be rejoining West Brom at the end of the season following his highly successful loan spell. There was a clause in the contract which allowed the Islanders to buy Valero but rather unsurprisingly they failed to take up the offer by the 30th April deadline.