UD Almeria Preview

Coach: Hugo Sanchez, ex-coach of Mexican MNT, Pumas and Necaxa
Stadium: Estadio de los Juegos Mediterráneos, Capacity (22,000)
Region: Andalusia
Nickname: Rojiblancos (red-whites)
Derby: Sevilla, Malaga, Betis
Sponsor: Petronor
Kit Description: Home: A classic red and white striped Umbro kit with black shorts and shocks with red and white trim. Away: A blue and white half-panel shirt with white shorts and socks. Third: A black kit overall with red trim.
History: UD Almeria, is a relatively new club founded only in 2001, though the club can trace its roots back many years with the founding of Agrupacion Deportiva Almeria, also known as AD Almeria in 1971. AD Almeria's secured a promotion to La Liga in 1979/1980. They finished in ninth place, but were relegated back to the Segunda Division the year after. At the end of the 1981/1982 season the club collapsed into financial ruin. Eight years later football CF Almeria were formed. They would play at the regional level for three years before securing promotion to Tercera Division in 1992. January of 2001 would prove to be the dawning of a new era for CF Almeria, as they merged with Polideportivo Almeria to form Union Deportiva Almeria. In 2003, Alfonso Guillermo became majority shareholder, and club president and the 2006/2007 season saw UD Almeria win its way to the Spanish top flight.
Trophy Room:
* 2006/07 : Second in Segunda División

Famous Former Players: Alvaro Negredo
Main Story from last year: Despite the fact that Hugo Sanchez made nice with former club Real Madrid, wooing one or more of the potential challengers for the Merengues presidency against eventual winner Florentino Perez and setting himself up as a future coaching candidate at the Bernabeu, Don Hugo actually took over from former coach Unai Emery and improved on the former wunderkind's job. In fact, if Pellegrini suffers a few setbacks in his first high profile job, don't be surprised if former team-mate Valdano comes calling.

Transfers: Transfers in Domingo Cisma (Numancia - loan period ended), David Rodríguez (Celta loan period ended), Fabián Vargas (Boca Juniors), Goitom (Murcia), Bernadello (Newell's Old Boys). Transfers out Negredo (Real Madrid - buy back option exercised), Mané (Getafe), Carlos García (Betis - one year loan), Bruno (Valencia), Iriney (Betis), Juanito (Málaga), Esteban Solari (transferable)

Squad Overview: With the loss of Negredo who was recently brought back to Real Madrid only to be sold to Sevilla, the club is hoping that Henok Goitom, who played last year on loan at Real Valladolid from Real Murcia, will fill in the void. Goitom is athletic, a bit pacier than Negredo, but nowhere near as physical but he'll be able to coordinate well with the likes of Pablo Piatti and Crusat. They have a young squad, they play attractive football and Hugo Sanchez has completely rehabilitated his career after a disastrous role as Mexican National Team coach, but I think they can't hellp but fall backwards a bit.

Prediction: Treading water: 13th