By Oviedo, Spain – March 25, 2025 – Real Oviedo has parted ways with manager Javi Calleja following a dismal run in La Liga 2, the club announced on Tuesday. The decision, reported by Mundo Deportivo’s Jaume Tix, comes after Oviedo secured just three victories in their last 16 matches, leaving them languishing in 15th place in the Spanish second division. Calleja, who took charge in November 2023, had previously guided the team to a sixth-place finish in the 2023-24 season but failed to maintain momentum this campaign.
¡El Oviedo se carga a Javi Calleja!
Veljko Paunovic y Pacheta, los mejor colocados para ocupar su puesto en el banquillo asturiano
@jaumetix https://t.co/5Tcabm8XMh
— Mundo Deportivo (@mundodeportivo) March 25, 2025
The Asturian club wasted no time in identifying potential successors, with Veljko Paunovic and José ‘Pacheta’ Rojo emerging as the frontrunners to take over the managerial reins. Paunovic, a 47-year-old Serbian, brings a wealth of experience both as a player and coach in Spain. A former attacking midfielder, he played for Oviedo in 2002 and had multiple spells with Atlético Madrid, amassing 212 La Liga appearances. His coaching career includes leading Chicago Fire to the MLS playoffs in 2017 and a brief stint at Tigres UANL in Mexico, where he was sacked earlier this month after a string of inconsistent results.
Pacheta, meanwhile, is no stranger to success in Spain’s second tier. The 56-year-old Spaniard masterminded Real Valladolid’s promotion to La Liga in 2022, a feat that followed another promotion with Huesca in 2020. Known for his motivational approach, Pacheta has a reputation for galvanizing teams under pressure, making him a strong candidate to steer Oviedo away from the relegation zone.
Oviedo’s decision to sack Calleja has sparked debate among fans, with some pointing to deeper structural issues at the club. A reply to Mundo Deportivo’s post on X from user @alberto222 noted, “Todos los años echan al entrenador, lo mismo el problema no es el entrenador 
” (They sack the coach every year, maybe the problem isn’t the coach). The sentiment reflects frustration over the club’s lack of stability, as Oviedo has cycled through multiple managers in recent years without addressing underlying challenges, such as the stalled La Manjoya city sports project.
As Oviedo prepares for their next match against Racing Santander, the club’s leadership will be under scrutiny to make the right appointment. Fans are hopeful that either Paunovic or Pacheta can reignite their season and push for a playoff spot.
