José Luis Sierra Resigns from Unión Española Amid Relegation Struggles

Unión Española announced Monday that José Luis "Coto" Sierra has resigned as head coach, following a dismal campaign that leaves the team second-to-last in Chile’s top division. According to the club’s official statement, Sierra stepped down after earning just six points in the current season, with the team sitting in the relegation zone.

Sierra returned to manage Unión in September 2024 for a second stint, having previously led the team to a league title and Supercopa in 2013. Despite his historic ties to the club, poor results and mounting pressure have made his position untenable.

“We sincerely thank José Luis for his dedication and lifelong connection to our institution,” read the statement. The club hailed him as “a true icon who will always have a place of respect, affection, and admiration at Unión Española.”

Sierra will not be on the sidelines for Thursday’s Copa Sudamericana match against San José of Bolivia, a fixture rendered meaningless after Unión’s elimination from the competition. His departure marks a difficult moment in the season for the Santa Laura-based club.