Sergi Ripollés, the deputy everyone wants at CD Castellón | OneFootball

According to El Periódico Mediterráneo, Pablo Hernández suffered a kidney colic late in 2025, thrusting assistant Sergi Ripollés to the forefront at CD Castellón. Ripollés is highly regarded inside the club. The head coach has said recently that Ripollés makes everything easy for him.

Ripollés was born in Castelló 30 years ago and is steeped in CD Castellón. Schoolmate Jacint Guimerà recalls he was already in the academy while they were at Sanchis Yago, and that he would join games with older boys.

After rising through the albinegro youth system, he moved to Rafalafena, where Pepe Zaera’s influence left a mark. He linked up with Guimerà on and off the pitch, both midfielders who saw the game alike, a style that often challenged local orthodoxy.

Guimerà describes Ripollés as an intelligent midfielder who played forward, positioned well and chose the right option, a low-key leader. He coached him at Rafalafena, then took him to Borriol and Onda, staying loyal to a possession-first idea.

To Guimerà, Ripollés said what he thought and knew how to put it across. He also points to the assistant’s notable emotional control, his analysis and his cool head.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo