Eibar once again avoided relegation and that means it was job done for the tiny Basque club. After losing several of their best players last summer, it looked like this would be a tough campaign. But, coach Jose Luis Mendilibar has worked his magic once again.
This year more than ever Eibar have relied on Mendilibar’s motivational and tactical brilliance. They really haven’t had a standout player, like they did in some years previously. That’s shown by the fact they had nobody with double digit goals, with top scorer Fabian Orellana netting eight.
Even in defence they often completely changed the back four week in week out, due to injuries and players falling in and out of form. But whoever came in usually did a good job and Mendilibar’s style of high pressing and getting the ball to the wings and to the box quickly worked.
Apart from a couple of weeks at the very beginning of the season, Eibar were never even inside the relegation as they hovered above it. That’s exactly where they aim to be, so there is satisfaction at the club.
Now another summer of planning has arrived. Eibar lose some of their best players every summer and that has already happened with Fabian Orellana departing. But, sporting director Fran Garagarza always does a good job of unearthing hidden gems and Eibar will hope he can do so once again.
