Funes and Academy Graduates Complete Malaga’s Climb Back to Spain’s Top Flight

Malaga are returning to La Liga after nearly a decade away, completing a recovery that included relegation to Spain’s regionalized third tier in 2023. BBC Sport reported that the Andalusian club secured promotion through a squad built around academy graduates, a managerial change during the season and a fanbase that remained heavily engaged through years of financial and sporting upheaval.

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The club had last been relegated from La Liga in 2018, five years after reaching the Champions League quarter-finals. A regional court ordered owner Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser Al Thani’s removal in 2020 over alleged misappropriation of funds, allegations that remain subject to legal proceedings. Court-appointed administrator Jose Maria Munoz has overseen operations since then, while player sales and low-cost recruitment helped stabilize the club’s position.

Malaga dropped into the third tier in 2023 but returned to the second division at the first attempt. Antonio Cordero scored in extra time against Gimnastic Tarragona in the two-legged playoff final. Manager Sergio Pellicer then guided Malaga to 16th place in the second tier before a difficult start to the following campaign led the club to replace him with reserve-team coach Juan Francisco Funes.

Funes, a former teacher who had never played or coached professionally, began with one win and two draws before Malaga won six consecutive games and climbed to third. His familiarity with the academy group reduced the transition time. The key contributors included striker Chupe, who scored 25 goals during the 2025-26 season, winger David Larrubia and defender Diego Murillo.

Malaga finished fourth and faced Almeria in the promotion playoff final. After a goalless first leg at La Rosaleda, Chupe and Larrubia scored in a 2-1 away victory that secured the top-flight place. BBC Sport reported that Malaga had spent only £325,000 on permanent transfers since 2020, while Almeria spent more than £10 million during that season.

The promotion triggered celebrations attended by an estimated 185,000 people, reflecting the bond between the young squad and its support. Malaga averaged the 11th-highest attendance in Spanish football last season, despite competing outside La Liga. Their top-flight preparations have remained modest, with contract renewals and loans including the return of Carlos Dotor from Celta Vigo and the addition of Juan Cruz from Leganes. The immediate challenge is survival, but the club begins the season back at the level it lost in 2018.