Messi hires Javi Calleja as first Eldense head coach until 2028

Eldense already has its coach for the Messi era. Javi Calleja, 48, has been chosen to take charge of the Alicante-based club and becomes the first managerial signing of the project that begins with Lionel Messi's arrival as owner. The Madrid-born coach has agreed a deal running until June 30, 2028, while the purchase of 100% of the club's shares still awaits final approval from Spain's Higher Sports Council.

• Javi Calleja signs as Eldense head coach until June 2028.
• He is the first coach of the Lionel Messi ownership era.
• He takes over after Claudio Barragán's dismissal and Josep Ferrando's interim spell.
• The Higher Sports Council must still authorise Messi's takeover of Eldense.
• The goal is to consolidate the team in the Segunda División and build an ambitious foundation.

Javi Calleja brings deep experience from Spain's top two divisions

Calleja arrives in Elda with a well-established career in Spanish professional football. He has managed in both the top flight and the Segunda División, most recently leading Levante and Real Oviedo. Earlier in his coaching path, he took charge of Villarreal and Alavés, and his last job was abroad with Saudi side Al-Riyadh.

His background fits the needs of an Eldense side looking for stability. Knowing both major divisions of Spanish football well is crucial for a project aiming to settle in the second tier and avoid uncertainty in the table.

A dugout change after Barragán's exit

The coaching switch comes after Claudio Barragán was dismissed during the season. Josep Ferrando stepped in on an interim basis for a short period until the new ownership secured Calleja's arrival to lead the next chapter at the club.

With the contract now signed until 2028, the sporting project has its main figure in place. The length of the deal signals a clear commitment to a long cycle, far from the constant turnover that often affects struggling teams.

What Messi's arrival means for Eldense

Lionel Messi has signed the purchase of all Eldense shares, making the Alicante club the first in Spain directly linked to the Argentine star as owner. The operation still needs authorisation from the Higher Sports Council to become fully effective, but the choice of Calleja shows that sporting planning is already underway.

Messi's arrival opens a period of unprecedented attention for a club competing in the Segunda División. Having the World Cup winner as owner increases Eldense's visibility and raises the ambitions of a project that wants to grow with purpose, while keeping solidity as its first objective.

Calleja's immediate challenge in the Segunda División

The Madrid-born coach's first task is to consolidate Eldense in the second tier. The Alicante club wants to secure survival and, from there, build a competitive structure that allows it to aim higher in the coming years. Calleja's presence until 2028 reinforces the idea of a project designed for the medium and long term.

With a squad that must adapt to the demands of the new coaching staff, the start of the Messi era will test Eldense's ability to turn the generated excitement into results on the pitch. Calleja's experience in high-pressure situations will be crucial to managing a context with more attention than ever.

Frequently asked questions about Eldense's new coach