Damián Fernando Mori Cuesta, known as Dani Mori, 48 years old and from Asturias, has been named the new head coach of San Fernando CD for the remainder of the season. The Asturian coach has extensive experience in the Primera Federación and the old Segunda B, and takes on the challenge of leading the blue and whites. He conducted his first training session on Wednesday and will be presented to the media this Friday, ahead of the upcoming match against Xerez DFC.
Mori’s wealth of experience in Primera Federación and Segunda B is remarkable. He has enjoyed considerable success in the third tier of Spanish football with UP Langreo, where the pandemic prevented the Asturian team from completing a historic year, as well as with Unionistas de Salamanca, where he ensured retention in his first season in the Primera Federación and struggled for a place in the promotion play-offs.
Having played in youth football with Real Madrid, RCD Mallorca and Real Sporting, Mori began his coaching career at a young age in the Balearic Islands; he made his Tercera debut with Atlético Ciutadella in the 2004-05 season at just 28 years old. He is a respected figure in the Balearics, having achieved notable results both in Menorca, where he began his coaching career, and in Ibiza, leading Penya Deportiva de Santa Eulalia to two promotions to Segunda B in 2008 and 2017 , making his debut in the third tier a year later. He also coordinated the youth teams at RCD Mallorca during the 2009-10 season.
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After making his Segunda B debut with Penya Deportiva in 2017-18, Mori returned to the continent to take up the challenge at RS Gimnástica, where he fought valiantly to maintain the club’s status in the struggling third division. His impressive work caught the eye of Union Popular de Langreo, where he excelled, guiding the modest Asturian club to a creditable tenth position in Group I of Segunda B before the pandemic halted play.
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This achievement opened the door to a historic opportunity at AD Mérida, during a difficult season marked by restructuring and the formation of the Primera Federación, where Mori’s team fought for survival until the last day of the championship.
In the summer of 2022, Mori accepted an offer from the Unionistas, transforming them into an extremely strong and competitive team that climbed the ranks of the Primera Federación table, comfortably securing their status over 27 matches at their home dugout, the Reina Sofia.
His final stint as coach was with Real Sporting B, where he remained in contention for direct promotion to the Segunda Federación until the latter stages of the competition, finishing in second place and making the play-offs of promotion. Further enhancing his reputation, he played a vital role in the development of nine players who went on to compete in the Segunda División with the first team.
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Now he arrives in La Isla with a determined intention to turn things around and achieve great success with San Fernando. His immediate priority is to lead the team out of the relegation zone.
In other news, the Sole Disciplinary Judge of the RFEF confirmed the appeal filed by San Fernando CD regarding the expulsion of Julio Iglesias last Sunday in Don Benito. As a result, the midfielder will be available for the next match against Xerez DFC next Sunday at 5:00 p.m. at the Iberoamericano Stadium.
In the decision received Wednesday afternoon, Judge D. Ramón Terol noted that the video elements provided by San Fernando show that “the player was engaged in a struggle with an opponent and was even grabbed, falling to the ground after be freed from him. At no time was there any indication that he hit the opponent or used excessive force.
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The decision concluded: “In view of the above, the allegations made by San Fernando CD Isleño SAD are confirmed, and therefore, the expulsion of player D. Julio Iglesias Rojas in the 52nd minute is annulled.”
