To say that Joan Francesc Ferrer Sicilia ‘Rubi’ is one of the three best coaches in the history of UD Almería is not something subjective. A promotion, just like two unforgettable coaches such as Unai Emery and Javi Gracia, and a stay in the First Division.

But there are data beyond that which back it up. His team scored two or more goals in 13 consecutive matches this season and was just one match away from equaling a historical record that dated back to the 1940-41 campaign, when Real Sociedad did the same in 14 consecutive matches. Now, he has already equaled a record he achieved in his previous stint as the coach of the red-and-white team in 21-22; accumulating 10 consecutive matches without suffering a defeat. In that season, he managed it between matchdays 11 and 20, adding eight victories and two draws, just like this year.

Rubi has managed to rebuild an unbeaten team, despite the poor start to the season, and has replicated that record, which still stands, between matchdays 10 and 19, having amassed 26 out of the possible 30 points, a real spree. In fact, considering that there is a double matchweek this week and the Almería team plays in Ferrol on Wednesday and at home against Cádiz on Sunday, he could equal the record held by both Unai Emery and Juan Casuco when they went 12 consecutive matchdays without suffering a defeat.

The current Aston Villa coach, who is considered by many to be the best coach in the history of the red-and-white team, achieved it in another season of promotion to the First Division, in 2006-07, between matchdays 23 and 34. For his part, the Murcian coach had done it before, in 2003-04, when he went the first twelve league matches without losing.