Pacheta reveals bizarre reason behind FC Cartagena dismissal | OneFootball

Granada coach José Rojo ‘Pacheta’ has recalled a remarkable claim about his 2013 exit from FC Cartagena, saying a fortune-teller’s prediction prompted his sacking despite reaching the promotion play-offs.

“They sacked me after we qualified for the promotion play-offs. It was because a fortune-teller told the president that with me the team would not go up. She should have told him who to bring in to go up, because they did not go up anyway,” he said, speaking on the El Cafelito podcast hosted by Josep Pedrerol.

The episode came in 2012-13, with Cartagena well placed to push for promotion from Segunda B. Pacheta had overseen an eight-match unbeaten run and only three defeats that season. After his surprise dismissal, José Miguel Campos took charge and Caudal Deportivo won 1-0 on aggregate in the first play-off tie.

Supporters’ protests followed and president Paco Gómez stepped aside, while remaining owner. He sold the club the next season to Sporto Gol Man 2020.

Pacheta also reflected on a later spell in Asia after a year in Poland and a brief stint at Hércules, managing in Thailand between 2016 and 2017. “In Thailand I was very happy for a year and a half and the last half-year was terrible. I ran out of energy. It was four terrible months of loneliness.”

Source: Superdeporte