Real Oviedo Relegated from La Liga: Club Announces Major Overhaul. Real Oviedo became the first team to be relegated from La Liga after a draw in Madrid. The club’s management has announced sweeping changes to both its structure and squad. The season ended amid tensions with the fans.
Real Oviedo has officially left Spain's top division after a goalless draw at the stadium in Vallecas. This result ended the team's fight for survival. Having only recently returned to La Liga, Oviedo was unable to secure its place among the elite. For several weeks, it had been clear that the chances of survival were minimal, and now the club has become the first to confirm relegation.
The season was difficult for Real Oviedo from the very start. After coach Paunović, who led the team to promotion, left and Carrión was appointed, the situation only got worse. Over the year, the club changed managers three times, but none of the reshuffles managed to turn the season around. The squad was not strong enough to compete at this level, and personnel decisions did not bring the needed results.
Reaction of fans and the club
Despite their disappointment, fans supported the team until the end, even when relations with the management were strained. After the last home match, the stands applauded captain Santi Cazorla, urging him to stay for another season, although the player himself had already hinted at retirement. The club admits that mistakes in management were one of the reasons for the failure.
Real Oviedo's owner, Grupo Pachuca, has already announced upcoming changes. In the near future, the squad will be refreshed and the management structure will be reorganized. The key step will be appointing a new sporting director, who will be responsible for building the team. At the same time, Lleida and Roberto Suárez, who were in charge of the current squad, will retain their roles but with changed responsibilities. Decisions on key appointments will remain with club owner Jesús Martínez, who is actively involved in selecting players and approving candidates.
What's next for the team
In the remaining rounds, Real Oviedo intends to finish the season with dignity. Coach Almada held a training session with the reserves after a tough match against Getafe, where the team ended up with only nine men. Up next are an away match at the Santiago Bernabéu and a home game against Alavés, with the season concluding away at Mallorca. Suspended Xavi López and Sibo, as well as the injured Dendoncker, will be unavailable for these matches.
Context and consequences
Real Oviedo's relegation to the Segunda became one of the main events of the season for Asturias fans. In Spanish football, it's not uncommon for on-field failures to lead to internal conflicts and even off-field incidents. For example, recently in Tarragona, after a defeat and the threat of relegation, unknown individuals damaged the cars of Nàstic players— details of this incident are available here. For Real Oviedo, this relegation has become a reason to rethink strategy and deliver on the promised changes at the club.
