Football can be a tough business. Just ask Veljko Paunovic, who was shown the door this Thursday. He’s the first coach to get fired in the LaLiga 2025/26 season. It’s a harsh reminder of how quickly fortunes can change in top-flight football.
Paunovic had a huge success story with Oviedo. He led them back to LaLiga after 24 long years away. That’s a memory Oviedo fans will keep forever. The club’s statement made sure to mention this special achievement. “Under his leadership,” the club announced, “Real Oviedo achieved the much-desired promotion to the first division. This historical success will forever live in the memory of Oviedismo.”
But even heroes face pressure. The team’s current performance simply wasn’t cutting it. After eight games, Oviedo has only two wins and six losses. They sit in 17th place with just six points. Right now, that puts them just outside the relegation zone, a very tight spot.
Paunovic joined Oviedo in March 2025. His entire coaching team is leaving with him. This includes his Portuguese assistant, Nuno Miguel Gomes. Nuno had also been with the club since last season. It’s a clean sweep, as they say, for the club’s new direction.