Mendilibar Hailed in Spain: 'He's a Perfect 10'

José Luis Mendilibar has been praised in Spain following his contract renewal with Olympiacos until 2027. Iván Alejo, 30, a former Eibar player under Mendilibar, spoke enthusiastically about the coach.

In a podcast, Alejo mentioned Mendilibar's discipline and demanding training sessions, where players are 'punished' with extra running or exercises, even somersaults, to keep them alert. 'He's a perfect 10, he's a straightforward, honest, sincere person and the training sessions were fantastic,' Alejo said.

He also shared anecdotal stories from training, such as the somersault penalty for missed shots. 'When you shoot and the ball doesn't go in, he tells you volata. That means you have to do a somersault,' he recalled laughing.

Alejo emphasized that Mendilibar allows players to express themselves but demands respect for his decisions. 'I don't know any footballer who speaks badly of Mendilibar, and I don't think there ever will be,' he concluded.