We're Going To Ibiza - An FM Story

Under the blazing Balearic sun, a new figure steps onto the hallowed turf of Can Misses with quiet determination and fire in his eyes. Neil Castillo, once a shadowy presence in the boardrooms of Ibiza football, now emerges from behind the curtain, ready to carve his legacy not as a club owner, but as its new mastermind on the touchline.

At 47, Castillo’s route to the dugout has been anything but traditional. Born to English and Spanish parents and raised amidst the rhythms and restlessness of island life, he grew up with football in his veins and ambition in his soul. After years of nurturing the club from the sidelines, he’s finally ready to lead it into battle—this time with a whistle, not a wallet.

Critics call him a romantic, an idealist clinging to dreams of fluid football and fierce unity. Supporters call him hope—a man who understands what Ibiza means to its people. His philosophy is clear: intensity, identity, and intelligent play. No passengers. No pretenders.

Neil Castillo’s journey begins not with fanfare, but with resolve. And as the turquoise tide of UD Ibiza rises once again, the question hangs in the air: can this island son transform passion into power and guide his club to glory?

Only time will tell. But one thing is certain—Ibiza is ready to believe.

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Thank you. It feels incredible. This is a special club in a special place, and I’m honoured to take on this role. Ibiza has been home for a long time now, and to be given the opportunity to manage the team I’ve supported from the stands and invested in off the pitch—it’s a dream come true.

Absolutely. Most people know I was heavily involved in the business side of football for years, particularly here in Ibiza. But coaching was always a passion of mine. I spent time earning my badges, working with local youth and amateur sides—learning the craft, understanding the game from the touchline. This isn’t a hobby for me—it’s a calling. I’ve worked hard to earn this opportunity, and now I’m ready.

The project. There’s a vision here that excites me. We’re not just looking to survive—we want to grow, build something sustainable, develop talent, and give this island a club it can be proud of on and off the pitch. The infrastructure is improving, the fans are passionate, and the ambition matches my own. That alignment is rare.

All eyes were on new UD Ibiza manager Neil Castillo as local press and season ticket holders were invited to watch one of the first training sessions lead by the Englishman. There appeared to be somewhat of a buzz around the training ground as supporters scrambled to get a good spot to watch Castillo bark instructions during various drills. There remains a positive and hopeful optimism around the club, and indeed their new manager.

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UD Ibiza can confirm that new head coach Neil Castillo has officially begun assessing his first-team squad as preparations ramp up for the upcoming pre-season fixtures.
Castillo, who arrived on the island with a clear vision to build a dynamic, possession-based side rooted in youth development, took his first full training sessions this week. The focus has been on fitness, tactical shape, and evaluating the squad’s depth ahead of a busy pre-season schedule.

With the first friendly just days away, Castillo and his coaching staff are working closely with the players to establish key principles and identify those who can play a major role in the club’s ambitious project.

“The lads have responded well,” Castillo said after training. “There’s talent here, no doubt — now it’s about setting the standards and seeing who steps up.”

Força Eivissa.

UD Ibiza’s pre-season preparations are well underway, with Neil Castillo’s side completing their first three friendly fixtures — a challenging run that has seen steady improvement despite narrow defeats.
The squad opened their campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 loss to Levante B, where Castillo took his first opportunity to assess match fitness and begin embedding his possession-based system. A second 1-0 defeat followed against Espanyol, but the performance showed clear tactical progress and defensive discipline against strong opposition.

The most encouraging signs came in the third fixture, pictured above, a high-energy 4-3 loss against LaLiga side Levante UD. Ibiza pushed their top-flight opponents all the way, scoring three well-crafted goals and showing the attacking identity Castillo is determined to establish.

“We’re seeing the pieces come together,” Castillo said post-match. “Results in pre-season are only part of the picture — I’m proud of the mentality and the progress we’re making every day.”

There have been several new faces in each fixture as Castillo invites local players for trials to improve the depth of the squad,

With more pre-season matches to come, the squad continues to grow in confidence and cohesion as the club looks ahead to the competitive season with optimism.

Força Eivissa.

UD Ibiza can confirm that, after a successful trial period with the club, winger Jony has joined the club on a one year deal.

The 31 year-old came through the ranks at Oviedo before going on to be a regular in the first division for Gijon and Malaga before a spell in Italy with Lazio in serie A.

Jony will join up with the rest of the squad for the remaining pre-season games and will wear the number 14 for the season.

Welcome Jony!

Força Eivissa.

UD Ibiza Finish Pre-season Strong

UD Ibiza 3-2 Mallorca B
Ibiza showed grit and attacking flair in a hard-fought 3-2 win over Mallorca B. A back-and-forth encounter saw the home side edge out their opponents thanks to a late winner. New boss Neil Castillo praised his side’s character "That was a test of resilience. The lads fought until the final whistle and that’s exactly the mentality I want."

UD Ibiza 1-1 C.D. Ibiza
In the much-anticipated local derby, the spoils were shared. Despite dominating possession, Ibiza were pegged back by a late equalizer after taking the lead. Fans were encouraged by the team's control and intensity. One supporter said, “You can see the identity Neil’s building—calm, confident, with purpose.”

UD Ibiza 11-0 Luchador
A ruthless attacking display lit up Can Misses as Ibiza blew away Luchador in an 11-0 goalfest. A mix of senior players and promising youngsters got on the scoresheet in what was an ideal confidence booster heading into the final week of preseason. Castillo remained grounded:
"Scorelines like this are rare, but what impressed me was the focus from minute one to ninety. No let-up. That’s what we demand."

UD Ibiza 4-0 Inter Ibiza
The final tune-up was a statement. A convincing 4-0 win over Inter Ibiza wrapped up preseason on a high, with slick passing, sharp movement, and a clinical edge in front of goal. Neil Castillo looked calm but pleased on the sidelines, arms folded as his side controlled proceedings. "We’re building momentum. The belief is growing. We’ve laid the foundations—now the real work begins."

With preseason concluded, excitement is bubbling among the Ibiza faithful.
"We’re ready for this season. You can see the chemistry forming. Neil’s got them clicking—Vamos Ibiza!" said one fan post-match.

The curtain is rising, and UD Ibiza are stepping into the spotlight.

Mauro Cerqueira Signs For Ibiza

UD Ibiza is delighted to announce the signing of experienced Portuguese left back Mauro Cerqueira on a one-year deal. The 31-year-old defender brings a wealth of experience to the squad, having previously played for Nacional da Madeira in Portugal’s top flight, Újpest FC in Hungary, and most recently, AD Ceuta FC in Spain.

Known for his defensive intelligence and composure on the ball, Mauro adds depth and leadership to Neil Castillo’s side ahead of the new campaign.

“Mauro is a fantastic addition for us,” said Castillo. “He brings quality, experience, and the kind of mentality we want in this dressing room.”

Welcome to Ibiza, Mauro

Força Eivissa.

Spanish Federation First Division B Odds

With the new season fast approaching, the bookmakers have released their odds for the Spanish Federation First Division B and there’s plenty of buzz around Can Misses as UD Ibiza are tipped as strong contenders!

Here's how the odds shape up:

Favourites:
Málaga – 1/16
Real Madrid Castilla – 6/4
Córdoba – 11/4
UD Ibiza – 7/2

Chasing Pack:
Castellón – 12/1
Atlético Baleares – 20/1
Ceuta & Antequera – 25/1
Murcia & Intercity – 33/1
Others – 50/1 and beyond

While Málaga are runaway favourites, Neil Castillo's side have quietly impressed during pre-season and sit just behind the top three in the eyes of the oddsmakers. With momentum building and fans getting behind the team, expectations are growing for an exciting campaign on the White Isle.

“We know what people expect of us, but we’re focused on working hard and proving ourselves on the pitch,” said Neil Castillo.

Bring on the season,
Força Eivissa.

Spanish Federation First Division B Underway

UD Ibiza began their First Division B campaign with two games on the road, making the journeys off the white isle to Antequera and Alcoyano respectively.

L'Eivissa were lucky to escape their opener with a 0-0 draw at Antequera, pictured above, with the hosts having the majority of the chances and arguably should have taken the 3 points but impressive defensive displays from Goalkeeper Fabricio and substitute Arturo Molina helped the blues escape with a point.

The following fixture saw a more fruitful expedition off of the island of Ibiza with L'Eivissa plundering 3 points with a dominant win despite the narrow margin, the game finishing 1-0.

It's early days in Neil Castillo's debut season but there are early signs of a team ready to fight and challenge for promotion,