The return of Carlos Martínez Fernández and his impact on the team
CD Leganés were facing a true final and once again turned to our fantastic coach Carlos Martínez Fernández (13/11/1980) in an attempt to achieve their survival objective.
A brutally tough season, a table on a knife-edge, and a match against CD Mirandés that would decide an entire season. With only a few days’ notice, the club once again trusted Carlos Martínez to take on a huge responsibility: keep the team up. And he, once again, accepted without looking at the risk, simply because Leganés needed him.
What happened next was one of those nights that stays in a fanbase’s memory forever.
Butarque Stadium witnessed a match full of tension, nerves and emotion. Mirandés pushed, created danger, and even saw two goals ruled out for offside. Fear was present for many minutes. But this team never stopped believing. And when it was needed most, the moment that changed everything arrived: Dani Rodríguez’s cross and Álex Millán’s header to make it 1–0, sealing survival. A goal that unleashed the emotion of an entire stadium and allowed Leganés to remain in professional football for another year.
But this story goes far beyond a result.
Because it’s not the first time Carlos has shown up when the situation seems critical. In the 2022/23 season he went through a similar situation. With the team going through a delicate spell and survival seriously under threat, he took on the responsibility of leading Leganés in one of the most difficult moments of the season. Back then he also achieved the objective, got the team to respond, and stepped up when the club needed him most.
That’s why his return in recent days wasn’t a coincidence. It was the call to someone who had already shown he knows how to handle moments of maximum pressure. Someone who knows the club, the dressing room, and the sense of belonging that this badge represents inside out. And once again, he delivered. And maybe that’s why this survival feels different.
Because Carlos isn’t just a coach. He’s someone who knows every corner of the club. He’s lived it as a player, as captain, as the reserve team coach, and as a key figure within the institution. His bond with Leganés can’t be explained by contracts or job titles. It’s explained by feeling, commitment, and a way of understanding football that’s built around people.
All week long he conveyed confidence when there were doubts all around. He believed in the team when the situation seemed critical and achieved something that goes far beyond tactics or a lineup: he restored belief in a dressing room that needed to believe again.
Mesas Sport
At Mesas Sport, we have enormous admiration for stories like this. Because they speak to values like loyalty, humility, courage and a sense of belonging. People like Carlos deserve all the good that comes their way, and for the second time, we want to recognize him for the credit he deserves.
Twice Leganés called, and twice Carlos Martínez showed up. Twice the objective seemed to slip away, and twice he found a way to achieve it. This doesn’t just speak of a great coach; it speaks of a great person like you, Carlos Martínez.
Congratulations, Carlos.
We love you!
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