Unicaja Málaga in Talks to Sign Coach Txus Vidorreta

A New Era Begins at Carpena

Málaga is a city that breathes basketball. While football has its passionate local following, the iconic José María Martín Carpena Arena is the true temple of local sports passion, drawing a highly active community of both local and international fans. After a highly successful cycle under coach Ibon Navarro, the club is moving swiftly to secure its future.

As the city prepares for a busy year ahead—which already includes the activation of Malaga’s summer beach safety services—Unicaja Málaga has officially initiated negotiations to hire the veteran tactician Txus Vidorreta as their new head coach for the upcoming 2026/2027 season.

The Succession Plan: Why Txus Vidorreta?

Following the confirmed departure of Ibon Navarro, the green-and-purple front office prioritized finding a leader with proven experience at the highest levels of Spanish and European basketball.

According to an initial report by Radio MARCA Málaga, later detailed by MARCA, Vidorreta has emerged as the leading candidate to take over the bench.

Vidorreta brings an incredibly deep resume to Málaga:

• Decades of ACB Experience: A fixture in Spanish basketball, known for his tactical discipline and maximizing squad potential.
• European Pedigree: Highly regarded for his continental campaigns, particularly his successful tenure with Tenerife.
• Development of Talent: Able to blend experienced international players with emerging domestic talent, which aligns perfectly with Unicaja’s current roster philosophy.

What This Means for Unicaja’s Ambitions

Transitioning away from a successful coaching tenure is always a delicate process for any elite club, especially after a grueling campaign in the ACB semifinals. However, targeting Vidorreta signals that Unicaja has no intention of scaling back its ambitions in either the Liga Endesa or European competitions.

The front office aims to wrap up negotiations quickly to allow the new coach ample time to shape the squad during the summer transfer window. With the passionate Carpena crowd demanding high-intensity, competitive basketball, Vidorreta’s signature style of play could be the perfect fit to keep Málaga at the forefront of the Spanish basketball landscape.

As the negotiations progress, the Málaga faithful will be watching closely. Transitions like this are never easy, but they also bring a sense of renewed hope and excitement. We hope to see a smooth transition that keeps our beloved team fighting for trophies and bringing the community together at the Carpena.