Borja Jiménez · Biography

Borja Jiménez Sáez won the first title of his career on 2 June 2024. That day CD Leganés beat Elche 2-0 at Butarque on the final matchday and were crowned Spanish second division champions with 74 points, earning automatic promotion to LaLiga. He was born in Ávila on 21 January 1985 and never played professionally. He learned his trade coaching youth teams before managing in Segunda B, Primera Federación, the second division, the top flight, the Greek Super League and the Qatari league.

Early years in Ávila

He started in 2006 in Real Ávila's youth system and stayed there until 2009. He then coached young players at the AC Milan academy and at Casa Social Católica. In 2011 he returned to Real Ávila as assistant to José Luis Diezma. On 10 October 2013 he took over the first team after Kiko Sánchez was sacked, and he led the side into the play-offs for promotion to Segunda B. He resigned on 17 November 2014 with a record of 45 matches: 19 wins, 11 draws and 15 defeats.

Segunda B: Valladolid, Izarra and Rápido de Bouzas

In June 2015 he joined Real Valladolid to coach their Cadete A side. On 22 October that year he was named manager of the reserve team, Real Valladolid Promesas, in Segunda B. He took over from matchday ten, oversaw 29 games and kept the team up. He announced his departure on 30 May 2016. On 1 June 2016 he signed for CD Izarra of Estella and again avoided relegation. In July 2017 he moved to Rápido de Bouzas in Vigo, finishing fifth in Group I of Segunda B, two points off the play-off places.

Two promotions: Mirandés and Cartagena

CD Mirandés appointed him on 28 June 2018. The team finished third in the Segunda B regular season and met Atlético Baleares in the final play-off round, winning 2-0 at Anduva and losing 3-1 away. On 30 June 2019 they secured promotion to the second division. He left on 5 July after the two sides failed to agree a new deal.

In July 2019 he moved to Greece to manage Asteras Tripolis. His first game was a 1-0 defeat at Olympiacos on 24 August, and he was dismissed in December with three wins from twelve matches. On 23 December 2019 FC Cartagena announced him as their coach. That season was halted by the pandemic and ended with a promotion round in July: Cartagena beat Atlético Baleares on penalties in the final and on 20 July 2020 won promotion to the second division, his second in consecutive seasons. He was sacked on 18 December 2020 after a Copa del Rey exit against Pontevedra.

Deportivo de La Coruña

On 26 May 2021 he signed for Deportivo de La Coruña, who were about to play in the first edition of Primera División RFEF, the new third tier. The team finished second in the regular season and reached the promotion play-off final, which they lost to Albacete in extra time in 2022. He stayed on for the 2022-23 campaign but was dismissed on 11 October 2022 after a poor start in the league.

Leganés: second division title and a year in LaLiga

In June 2023 CD Leganés hired him to lead their second division side. In his first season the title went down to matchday 42. On 2 June 2024 Leganés beat Elche 2-0 at Butarque, with goals from Miguel de la Fuente and Juan Cruz, while Real Valladolid lost in Tenerife. Leganés finished top with 74 points and returned to LaLiga. He coached the club in the top flight in 2024-25. The team were relegated, and on 26 May 2025 the club and the coach agreed to part ways.

Sporting de Gijón, Al-Ahli and Cádiz

On 8 October 2025 Real Sporting de Gijón named him coach in place of Asier Garitano, who had been sacked after five straight defeats. His first game was at El Molinón against Racing de Santander on matchday nine of the second division. On 8 May 2026 the club announced an agreement for him to leave at the end of the 2025-26 season.

On 3 July 2026 Qatari side Al-Ahli of Doha appointed him first-team coach, and he led the squad through a pre-season camp in Austria. On 22 October 2026 the two parties agreed to end their relationship, and that same day second division side Cádiz CF announced him as the replacement for Albert Celades.