History was made in Gran Canaria on Monday evening. It wasn’t the kind that Pako Ayestaran necessarily had in mind when signing up as Las Palmas boss, but it was a league-first statistic nonetheless.
A 3-1 defeat by Deportivo La Coruna not only ensured his side would continue to languish in La Liga’s relegation zone, but it secured his eleventh consecutive loss as a top-flight coach - something that has never been achieved in the competition’s history.
In the four matches Ayestaran has thus far endured, Las Palmas have conceded 15 times, with only a Copa del Rey success breaking up the sad monotony of consecutive league reverses. Six defeats in a row have left the club in 17th place, with the joint-worst goal difference in the division. Their situation is dire. There has been no sign of a clear plan, nor even the most minuscule of improvements since the departure of Quique Setien as coach at the end of last season.
Setien packed his bags to join Real Betis, a big club that has been dormant for a while and offers the promise of funds and the chance to benefit from a productive youth system, two areas in which Las Palmas have sorely under-delivered on in recent years. His decision to leave the club came before the decision to sell key midfielder Roque Mesa to Swansea City, with the team’s heartbeat on the pitch ripped out after its managerial soul had already moved on.
Ayestaran is no footballing heart surgeon, and would not profess to be looking to make a transplant to mimic the aesthetically pleasing football of years gone by under Setien. The club have to find a different path in a new era, but the hallmarks of the past remain. The stereotypes of the type of players that hail from Gran Canaria are rife, with the footballing bubble that surrounds the island hard to ignore.
“A player from Gran Canaria has the technical and tactical characteristics that favour combination play, and in terms of in the youth academy... they are the ones that are knocking on the door of the first team,” Ayestaran explained at his unveiling as boss at the end of September.
“You should adapt to the players that you have and see to which point they can do what you like. In terms of style, we like to play more positionally, not so much with quick transitions.”
This is precisely where the problem lies. Ayestaran has been unable to adapt his principles to the squad at his disposal, and their strong suit in retaining possession and being technically proficient has not been allied with a toughness when playing on the back foot. Questions have already been raised about the squad’s general mentality, but it is well-known fact that things work differently in Gran Canaria. Anyone seeking to upset that balance would be facing an upward battle - to the point of verticality.
In trying to control games and possession, Las Palmas find themselves incredibly reliant on one man: Jonathan Viera. After trying his luck away from Gran Canaria, the club captain returned home and, seemingly, to complete happiness. The 28-year-old midfielder is settled, displaying his fantastic technical gifts and finding himself not too far from falling under Julen Lopetegui’s orders for the Spain national team after making his debut for La Roja this season.
Las Palmas’ playmaker is by far and away their most talented individual, their link from midfield to attack and the reason why Ayestaran instructs his team build gradually from the back. Viera can change the pace of their moves, dictate the tempo and drive upfield unchecked. Given that collective identity and philosophy have given way at the club, they are now left worshipping the talents of one man.
Loic Remy had fired home his fourth goal in five appearances to give Las Palmas the lead against Deportivo, but joy soon turned to misery - starting with a hamstring injury sustained by Viera. It was a problem he couldn’t shake off and as the 28-year-old Spain international exited the field, he took his team’s identity, threat and personality with him.
Ayestaran has been able to inspire some brave starts to games, with Las Palmas’ first-half performances against the likes of Barcelona and Villarreal attracting praise, but caving in late has been an early theme of his reign. Both positive spells, however, featured Viera as the team's lynchpin. Whether looking to control possession or drive forward at pace, Viera is the key.
With the captain facing a month on the sidelines, it makes the question of personnel, tactics and coaches all fade into the background at a time when they should be the focal point of discussion at Las Palmas. Ayestaran had a tough job on his hands upon taking over. Now, it appears impossible.
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