The dispute at Getafe has escalated after president Ángel Torres publicly rejected José Bordalás’ criticism of the squad and challenged the coach’s claim that the club had failed to deliver on promises over recruitment.
Bordalás’ frustration followed Thursday’s 5-2 home defeat by Lugano in the Conference League, a result that left Getafe without a win in the competition. The hosts took an early lead through Iván Azón, but Albian Ajeti and Yanis Cimignani helped Lugano turn the match around, with Uran Bislimi and Kevin Behrens adding further goals. Borja Mayoral scored Getafe’s second.
After the match, Bordalás described the performance as deeply disappointing and renewed his concerns about the depth and balance of the squad. He said the team was not equipped to compete across three competitions and accused the club of failing to fulfil commitments made to him.
Torres responded in an interview with Cadena SER, rejecting the accusation in emphatic terms.
“You have to have a face like concrete to tell me, after 30 years, that I have deceived you. I haven't deceived anyone,” the president said.
The relationship between the two men appeared strained, with Torres saying he had not spoken to Bordalás after the defeat and did not intend to seek him out.
“He signed because he wanted to. In any case, the door is open to him. If all of Getafe is so bad, what can we do? I don't understand what he's doing here if he's so unhappy,” Torres said.
The president also disputed the coach’s assessment of the squad. While Bordalás had argued that the team lacked the resources to sustain a campaign across several competitions, Torres insisted Getafe had one of the strongest groups of players in the club’s history.
He criticised the coach for publicly questioning his substitutes and called for greater respect between the manager and the dressing room.
“What he has to do is respect the footballers, just as the footballers respect him,” Torres said, adding that he did not want a public war of words.
Torres ruled out immediate disciplinary action, arguing that the team needed to move on and concentrate on results. He also dismissed the idea that Getafe necessarily needed reinforcements in January, pointing to the club’s full complement of registered players.
Bordalás, meanwhile, had explained that he introduced first-team regulars against Lugano because the performance of his less-used players threatened to become even more damaging. He said the defeat reinforced concerns he had raised since May about the squad’s limitations.
“I feel deceived; what has been promised year after year has not been fulfilled,” he said after the match.
The president later called on Bordalás to acknowledge his own responsibility, arguing that making four half-time substitutions indicated the coach had made mistakes. He also urged him to apologise to the players for his criticism.
The immediate focus now shifts to Getafe’s next league fixture against Athletic Club at San Mamés. Torres insists the solution is to win, but the public exchange has exposed a serious divide over recruitment, squad quality and the direction of the club.
With the coach questioning the backing he has received and the president openly telling him he can leave if dissatisfied, Getafe face an important test both on the pitch and behind the scenes.