Pablo Hernández to serve two-match touchline ban as Castellón lean on staff | OneFootball

Pablo Hernández will serve a two-match touchline ban, El Periódico Mediterráneo reports. CD Castellón face consecutive away games, starting on Saturday at Zubieta against Real Sociedad B, without their head coach on the touchline.

He will travel with the squad and aims to handle the situation as normally as possible, delegating on-field duties to his assistants. He does not expect it to affect the team given the strength of his staff.

Castellón’s backroom setup has grown in recent times, helping to cushion the impact of his absence. It includes goalkeeper coach Carlos Gómez, set-piece specialist Rody Hoegee, analysts Paco Urdiain and Dennis Van der Meulen, and fitness coaches Joan Torné and Alberto Liñán, alongside medical, rehabilitation and nutrition support.

The staff already navigated a similar case in late 2025 when Hernández missed the trip to Cádiz with renal colic. He plans to be in the stadium with the team and considers the sanction excessive. He said the referee’s report did not reflect exactly what he said, adding it is his word against the official’s, and the club’s appeal was unsuccessful.

In Zubieta, lead assistant Sergi Ripollés will take on a prominent role. At 30, the supporter and season-ticket holder has built a quick reputation at the club after coming through the academy as a midfielder. Hernández has previously said Ripollés makes everything easy for him.

Former head coach Alejandro Jiménez, who coached Ripollés at Rafalafena then brought him into Castellón’s B team in 2023, has praised his candour and calm. He views Ripollés as someone with strong emotional control who analyses well and keeps a cool head.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo