Luis Castro is writing his name into Levante UD's history books after a rescue job that has blossomed into a promising start to the 2026/27 season. The Portuguese manager, as reported by Mundo Deportivo, reached 25 league games in charge with a positive record and the team now sits ninth in the La Liga standings.
Castro took over in late December 2025, replacing Julián Calero when Levante was bottom of the table. His debut couldn't have been more hopeful: a 0-3 win at Sevilla's Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán on January 4th. That victory was the first step in a spectacular comeback. The team was once seven points from safety, but the Portuguese's work culminated in 32 points from 22 second-half-of-the-season matches, securing top-flight survival.
What is Luis Castro's record at Levante?
After 25 official league games, Luis Castro's record stands at 10 wins, 6 draws, and 9 losses. That's more victories than defeats, a statistic few predicted when he arrived at a team rooted to the bottom. This season's start bolsters his legacy, with a record of one win, one draw, and one loss in the first three matchdays. The high point came last Saturday, with a 5-2 thrashing of Real Betis in the league opener at the Ciutat de València.
How does he compare to other historic managers?
To contextualise Castro's work, it's inevitable to look at Juan Ignacio Martínez. 'JIM' managed Levante for two full seasons in the top flight between 2011 and 2013 and has the second-best win percentage in the club's history in the first division. His record was 28 wins, 17 draws, and 31 losses in 76 games. Castro, with his ability to reverse extreme situations, is carving his own path into Levante's history. You can check the detailed stats of all managers on our stats page.
What is the team's current situation?
Levante approaches the start of the championship with solidity. After three matchdays, the team has 4 points, from one win, one draw, and one loss, with a neutral goal difference (5 scored, 5 conceded). This run of form (win, draw, loss) places them ninth, just three points behind early leaders Atlético Madrid. The immediate goal is to consolidate this mid-table position and aim higher. The next test will be away against Málaga, currently 18th, on September 6th. The full schedule is available in our fixtures section.
The continuity of Luis Castro for this season was confirmation of the trust placed in his project. His impact goes beyond the numbers; he restored faith and a competitive identity to a team that seemed lost. With survival secured last campaign, the challenge now is to build from a solid base. The current standings, which you can follow on standings, show a team with room for improvement but already far from the relegation places. The next match against Málaga will be a good opportunity to pick up points away again and cement this positive start.
