West Ham United assistant manager Paco Jemez won’t hesitate if given a chance to manage Rayo Vallecano.

The 55-year-old had two different spells [1992/93 and 2004] with the La Liga club during his playing career.

He returned to the Spanish side as their manager in 2012 and spent four years there. During that period, the West Ham coach managed 164 matches, winning 55 and losing 80 of them.

Rayo Vallecano reappointed him as their manager in 2019, only to part ways again 2020. In the second spell, Jemez won 18 and lost 14 of the 56 matches.

Since leaving, he had spells at UD Ibiza [2021/22], Iranian side Tractor SC and returned to Ibiza in 2024. Jemez left the latter in October 2025 and joined Nuno Espírito Santo’s backroom staff in January 2026.

It’s the first time he has taken the role of an assistant in his coaching career. Jemez has already said the West Ham manager’s cry for help convinced him to join the London club.

“There wasn’t much convincing to do. He told me he needed my help, and I thought about experiencing the Premier League from the inside. He values ​​me a lot and lets me do what I think is best,” he explained in January.

Won’t hesitate to leave West Ham for Rayo

Jemez has been regularly speaking to the Spanish media since joining the Hammers. He appeared as a guest on Cadena Ser‘s El Larguero on Thursday, where he discussed the possibility of returning to Rayo Vallecano.

Iñigo Pérez is currently in charge at the Spanish club. He joined them as Andoni Iraola’s assistant in 2022 and left after the manager moved to AFC Bournemouth in 2023.

Pérez couldn’t move to the Premier League side due to work permit issues and returned to Rayo Vallecano as their manager in February 2024.

The West Ham coach can’t let go of his link to Rayo Vallecano.

“If Rayo Vallecano needs a coach, I wouldn’t hesitate for a second to accept,” he said.

Spanish newspaper AS have also relayed his comments on this topic.

Jemez explained: “When Rayo doesn’t have a coach and need someone, and I think I’m the right person, I’d go in a heartbeat.”

West Ham shouldn’t let him leave soon

The Premier League side appointed Nuno as Graham Potter’s successor in September. He has been in charge of 30 matches, with nine wins and 11 draws.

West Ham are now 18th in the table, level on points with 17th placed Nottingham Forest and a point behind 16th placed Tottenham Hotspur.

Since Jemez arrived in the English capital on January 15th, West Ham have had a good run. To put it in context, the Hammers have played 10 matches after this arrival and lost only twice, against Liverpool and Chelsea.

In that period, West Ham have picked up 14 points in the Premier League. That’s half of the total points amassed by them this season. Therefore, it’s imperative that West Ham retain Jemez to avoid getting relegated.

However, sooner or later it seems Paco Jemez will return to Rayo Vallecano. The Spanish side are clearly deep within his heart.

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