The defeat against Racing de Santander (1-2) has once again placed Juanfran Funes at the center of the debate regarding the future of the bench of Málaga CF. The blue and white team continues to sit at the bottom of the First Division, with five points after twelve matches and no victories, and the international break opens a period in which the sports management can analyze the situation. Among the coaches emerging as possible alternatives are Philippe Montanier and Sergio González, two coaches currently without a team who were already on the list of options published by Fichajes.net on November 2nd.

So far, there is no evidence of negotiations with either of them, nor has a decision been made regarding Funes. Information published by El Desmarque on November 5th, citing MARCA, indicated that Málaga was receiving applications from coaches who were offering to take charge of the team. The identities of those coaches have not been disclosed, so these proposals cannot be directly linked to the two names that have appeared in previous reports.

Philippe Montanier, an option already known to Loren Juarros

Philippe Montanier is one of the profiles with the most history in the speculation surrounding the Málaga bench. The French coach was close to directing Málaga in November 2025 when Loren Juarros was looking for a replacement for Sergio Pellicer. The talks did not end in an agreement, and the club ultimately opted for Funes.

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His contractual situation once again allows his name to appear in the mix. Montanier ended his time at Saint-Étienne in June 2026, after failing to gain promotion to Ligue 1. The newspaper L'Équipe explained that both parties decided not to extend their relationship. He is currently unattached, according to the French association of coaches UNECATEF.

His previous relationship with the sports management and his knowledge of Spanish football are arguments explaining his resurgence among alternatives. However, there is no confirmation that Málaga has resumed contact.

Sergio González, experience in complicated situations

The other name is Sergio González, who is also currently free. The Catalan coach was dismissed by Cádiz in April 2026, after a very brief second stint on the yellow bench. The club itself confirmed his departure on April 22.

His career includes experiences in Espanyol, Valladolid, and Cádiz, as well as several seasons in the First Division. He is a profile familiar with the demands of the category and of teams that need to compete in the lower zones, although there is no information supporting conversations with Málaga either.

In the previous news from Fichajes.net, Diego Martínez was also mentioned, who has been without a team since ending his stint at UD Las Palmas in June 2025. His name remains a possibility within that initial list, but no new information has emerged placing him in negotiations with the club.

Funes, targeted after another defeat

The pressure on the coach has increased after the match against Racing. Málaga took the lead with a goal from Carlos Dotor, but Iker Luque and Yassir Zabiri turned it around for the Cantabrian side in just ten minutes of the second half. The expulsion of Adam Aznou further complicated the home team's attempt to respond, ending in a 1-2 defeat, as reported by the club's official match report.

Before the match, Funes had stated that he felt backed by the club, as reported by Mundo Deportivo on November 6. However, after the defeat, he acknowledged that the team competed poorly for twenty minutes and that they needed to correct their mistakes. AS reported his statements after the match, in which he insisted that "the solution lies within us."

The coach renewed his contract until 2028 after gaining promotion, a factor that also weighs on any decision. Funes' continuity is not officially resolved, but Málaga already has available names in the market and is receiving proposals for the bench. Montanier and Sergio González are two of the alternatives that appear in the debate, although there is still no confirmed favorite or announced negotiations.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Dos nombres para el banquillo del Málaga CF