Paco Herrera looking for his second promotion to Liga BBVA

It’s not the first time Francisco Herrera is living through the tension and illusion of a promotion playoff. The Catalan boss already went through it during his time with RC Celta in 2010/11. It has been four years since that campaign and Herrera once again finds himself back, this time with UD Las Palmas.

In 2010 Celta Vigo, following relegation to Liga Adelante, Celta were only just able to achieve their principal objective of safety. It would be this year when Paco Herrera, alongside other reinforcements such as Enrique de Lucas and David Rodríguez arrived in Galicia to transform the team. In his first season with the side, the manager ended up sixth, and they entered the playoffs to go up to Liga BBVA.

In the first leg of that playoff against Granada, Celta won 1-0 thanks to a goal from Miguel Pérez 'Michu' at Balaidos. However, the Andalusian side were able to come back at Los Cármenes, scoring through now Celta star Fabián Orellana before advancing on penalties. This year the Andalusianns made it all the way, whereas the team from Vigo had to wait another year to achieve their dream of promotion to Liga BBVA. Herrera guided the side to second in 2011/12 and was able to take them up.

Now, Herrera has another chance to repeat this level of happiness, adrenaline and enthusiasm as he looks to lead Las Palmas to glory. After two years without success in the playoffs, the Canary Island outfit have another chance. After finishing fourth and downing Valladolid in the semifinal, the Gran Canaria side are close to their objective. With just 90 minutes to play, they will have to give their all in order to beat opponents Zaragoza in order to be able to celebrate what Herrera did three years ago with Vigo: earn promotion to Liga BBVA.