A football coach from Manilva has taken his place on one of the biggest stages in European club football, with José María Pajares García beginning his first UEFA Champions League campaign as part of the Lincoln Red Imps coaching staff.
Pajares recently joined the Gibraltar champions as assistant coach, working alongside new head coach Juanma Pavón as Lincoln prepared for another European adventure. His appointment represents the latest chapter in a long coaching career that has taken him through clubs across the region and into the higher levels of Spanish football.
His Champions League debut came on Tuesday, 7th July, when Lincoln Red Imps welcomed Andorran champions Inter Club d’Escaldes to the Europa Point Stadium for the first leg of their opening qualifying-round tie.
It proved to be a memorable start for Pajares and the new-look Lincoln coaching team, with the Red Imps securing an important 3-1 victory.
Nano opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 16th minute before summer signing Manuel Toledano doubled the advantage ten minutes later. An own goal during first-half stoppage time gave the visitors hope, but Facundo Álvarez restored Lincoln’s two-goal cushion after the break to complete an encouraging European victory.
The result gives Lincoln a valuable advantage ahead of the return match in Andorra and provided Pajares with the perfect introduction to Champions League football.
Born in Manilva, Pajares is a nationally qualified football coach with considerable experience both on the bench and behind the scenes. His career has included spells with Unión Manilva CF, Marbella CF, AD Mérida, CD Badajoz, Real Jaén and CD Estepona, where he was involved in two promotions while working as sporting director.
He has also maintained a close connection with football in his hometown. Pajares has coached Unión Manilva’s senior side during different periods and previously guided the team to a championship and promotion, achievements for which he was recognised by the Andalusian Football Federation.
After leading Unión Manilva during the 2025–26 season, he left the local club at the end of the campaign before accepting the opportunity to join Lincoln Red Imps. The move has allowed him to step directly into a demanding European project with a club accustomed to competing beyond Gibraltar’s domestic competitions.
Lincoln are Gibraltar’s most successful football club and have produced several historic European moments, including their famous Champions League qualifying victory over Celtic in 2016 and their qualification for the UEFA Conference League stage in 2021 and again in 2025. Pajares now has the opportunity to contribute to the next chapter of that European story.
The tie is not over, however, and Lincoln will travel to Andorra for the second leg on Tuesday, 14th July. They will take a 3-1 advantage into the match as they attempt to move one step closer to the next qualifying round.
Whatever happens in the return fixture, appearing in the Champions League technical area is already a proud achievement for José María Pajares and another notable moment for football in Manilva.
