Hormiga González and the New Coach: Imanol Alguacil Takes Over Olympiacos — A Tactical Gamble or an Opportunity for the Mexican Lad?

I. Hook: The Moment of Silence Amid the Crowd

On July 7, 2026, I sat in the broadcast booth of Voice of Vietnam for 28 nights of the World Cup. That night, Russia faced Croatia. The score was 2-2, penalties 4-3. I didn't mention the score. I told stories about Balkan sailors, about the sound of waves in Moscow, far from the sea. That commentary was cut by Minh Anh, a 26-year-old editor, and posted on the app, reaching 1.2 million listens within 48 hours. For the first time, I understood that I wasn't just commentating on a match – I was lighting up stories that slept within football.

Today, I hear another story. A story about a Mexican boy nicknamed "Hormiga" – the ant – who had just set foot in Europe, had just seen his first mentor leave, and now stands before a new teacher. Imanol Alguacil, 55, former coach of Real Sociedad and Al-Shabab, officially takes over Olympiacos – the reigning Conference League champion. And Armando González – "Hormiga" – is the protagonist in this transition drama.

II. Context: Who Are the Players?

Olympiacos is a Greek giant, having just won the Conference League last season under José Luis Mendilibar. Mendilibar – a Basque strategist with a direct, transition-heavy style – left unexpectedly. The Olympiacos board wasted no time. They appointed Imanol Alguacil, a familiar name in La Liga but still unknown to Greek football.

Armando González, 20, a Mexican forward nicknamed "Hormiga" for his industriousness and sharp finishing, joined Olympiacos from Liga MX just weeks before Mendilibar left. In that brief period, Mendilibar was his first mentor in Europe. Then everything changed.

What makes the story special: Olympiacos' main striker Ayoub El Kaabi is injured. That pushes the goalscoring burden onto González earlier than expected. And Alguacil, known for his ability to work with young players, will decide the future of the Mexican "ant" in Greece.

III. Core: Who Is Alguacil and What Will He Change?

Tactics and Style

Alguacil is a pure product of Real Sociedad's academy. He started with the youth team, moved to the B team, then led the first team for over 500 matches. His style is possession-based football, building from the back, combined with organized pressing – a classic Spanish school. This is a complete contrast to Mendilibar's direct, physical style, which favored big, strong forwards like El Kaabi.

This change is not just a substitution on the bench. It is a revolution in philosophy. Olympiacos players, accustomed to long balls and fast transitions, will now have to learn ball circulation, rhythm control, and finding space in a structured system. For a young forward like González, who is mobile and sharp in the box, this could be a perfect fit – or a major barrier if he cannot adapt quickly enough.

Data and Achievements

Alguacil's career includes 221 wins, 142 draws, and 142 losses – a win rate of about 43%. This is not elite by European standards, but it reflects a steady, sustainable career. More importantly, his trophy cabinet is modest – one Copa del Rey with Real Sociedad. This raises the question: Does Olympiacos, a club that just won a European title, have the patience for a coach with unremarkable achievements? Or are they betting on his player-development ability to build a more sustainable future?

González's Role

In 4 appearances for Olympiacos (mostly in the domestic cup), González scored 2 goals. A promising stat for a newcomer, but the sample is too small to draw conclusions. However, El Kaabi's injury is a game-changer: it opens the door for González to become the first-choice striker. And Alguacil, with his track record of nurturing young talents (like Oyarzabal, Merino, Le Normand at Real Sociedad), could be the ideal mentor to elevate "Hormiga."

IV. Contrarian: The Opposite View – Defeat or Nutrient?

On the surface, losing his first mentor after a few weeks is a shock for a young player. The Mexican media may worry. But I see something else. Mendilibar's departure, with his direct, strength-based style, might actually be an opportunity for González. A small, quick forward like him would struggle to shine in a system of long balls and physical duels. Alguacil, with his possession-based philosophy and building from the back, prefers forwards who are intelligent movers, good at finding space and combining with teammates – exactly González's strengths.

Look at Oyarzabal. He was also a small, technical winger who flourished under Alguacil. Then there's Isak, tall but needing support from surrounding satellites. Alguacil doesn't turn forwards into pure goal machines; he makes them part of a collective attacking picture. For González, this means receiving more balls in the box, participating in small combinations, rather than just waiting for crosses from the wings.

Of course, risks remain. Adapting to a new league, a new culture, and a completely different tactical system is a huge challenge. But if there is a coach in Greece who can help a young Mexican overcome the rough patch, it is Alguacil.

V. Takeaway: Freezing the Memory – What Future for "Hormiga"?

I have witnessed too many coaching transitions in my 51-year career. Some succeed, lifting the club to new heights. Some fail, sinking a generation of players. But one thing I have learned: football never repeats itself exactly. Every moment is a unique symphony.

Armando González stands at a crossroads. One path is Mendilibar's shadow; the other is the new door named Alguacil. He could become a victim of instability, or the hero of a beautiful story. I lean toward the latter – not out of blind optimism, but because I see in "Hormiga" a rare quality: the patience of an ant. And Alguacil, though his trophy cabinet is modest, has proven he knows how to build a nest for young talents.

The city of Piraeus will fall silent in the early days. The pain of losing a familiar mentor can turn into sediment for the next season – if González knows how to embrace change as a gift. Football gives us a moment, then takes away a lifetime to regret. But for this Mexican boy, I believe it is not a curse, but a promise.

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