Paco Jemez: Veteran Manager Faces New Chapter After Ibiza Exit
London, 15 January 2026 – Paco Jemez, the experienced Spanish football manager, was sacked by UD Ibiza in October 2025 following a disappointing start to the season. With over 15 years in management, Jemez is renowned for his attacking philosophy and stints at clubs like Rayo Vallecano, where he achieved the club’s best-ever La Liga finish.
Early Life and Playing Career
Francisco “Paco” Jemez Martin was born on 18 April 1970 in Las Palmas, Canary Islands. He began his professional playing career as a central defender in 1989 with Cordoba CF, before moving to Real Murcia and Rayo Vallecano. Jemez played 269 La Liga matches over 11 seasons, representing teams such as Deportivo de La Coruna and Real Zaragoza, where he won the Copa del Rey in 2000-01. He also earned 21 caps for Spain, featuring at Euro 2000.
Managerial Journey and Achievements
Jemez transitioned to coaching in 2007, starting with lower-league sides like RSD Alcala and Cordoba. His breakthrough came at Rayo Vallecano in 2012, where he led the club to an eighth-place finish in La Liga – their highest ever – despite financial constraints. He managed Rayo for four seasons, promoting an attacking style that prioritised possession and high pressing. Jemez also had spells abroad, including at Cruz Azul in Mexico, where he reached the playoffs, and Tractor SC in Iran. He returned to Ibiza in November 2024 but was dismissed after 36 matches, with a record of 17 wins, seven draws and 12 losses.
Key Facts and Managerial Statistics
| Club | From-To | Games | Wins | Draws | Losses | Win % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rayo Vallecano (First Spell) | 2012-2016 | 164 | 55 | 29 | 80 | 33.54% |
| Cruz Azul | 2016-2017 | 48 | 17 | 18 | 13 | 35.42% |
| Rayo Vallecano (Second Spell) | 2019-2020 | 56 | 17 | 25 | 14 | 30.36% |
| UD Ibiza (Latest Spell) | 2024-2025 | 36 | 17 | 7 | 12 | 47.22% |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Paco Jemez known for as a manager?
Jemez is known for his attacking, possession-based style of play, often using formations like 4-3-3 or 4-4-2. He emphasises building from the back and has a reputation for turning underdogs into competitive sides, though his teams sometimes concede many goals.
Why was Jemez sacked by Ibiza?
Jemez was dismissed on 21 October 2025 after a poor start to the Primera Federacion season, with the team struggling for consistency despite his efforts to implement an attacking philosophy.
Has Jemez won any trophies as a manager?
As a manager, Jemez led FC Cartagena to promotion from Segunda Division B in 2008-09. As a player, he won the Supercopa de Espana with Deportivo and the Copa del Rey with Zaragoza.