Leganés, the Spanish club owned by former Houston Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow, achieved a momentous milestone by securing promotion to LaLiga after beating Elche 2-0 to claim the second-division title. This achievement comes after four years of struggle, as the club faced relegation in the past and only climbed back to the top division two years after the investment group led by Luhnow took over.
Leganés finished the season with 74 points in 42 matches, edging out Valladolid by two points. Valladolid, owned by former Brazilian great Ronaldo, had already secured automatic promotion but missed out on the title after a 2-1 loss to Tenerife. Eibar, another contender for the top two spots, earned a victory over Oviedo but fell short by one point, landing them in the promotion playoffs alongside Oviedo, Sporting Gijon, and Espanyol.
The ownership of Leganés underwent a significant transformation in 2016 when Luhnow’s Blue Crow Sports Group, with investors from various countries, took over the club. Prior to this, Leganés had been struggling under local ownership since 2008 when the club was burdened with debt and competing in the third division. The journey from those dark times to now securing promotion to LaLiga is a testament to the resilience and determination of the club.
Despite the success on the field, Jeff Luhnow’s reputation faces tarnish due to his involvement in the infamous sign-stealing scandal as the general manager of the Houston Astros. Along with Astros manager AJ Hinch, Luhnow was suspended for one year by Major League Baseball for orchestrating a sign-stealing scheme using technology during the Astros’ championship-winning seasons in 2017 and 2018.
Leganés’ promotion to LaLiga marks a significant achievement for the club and its journey from adversity to success under the ownership of Jeff Luhnow. However, Luhnow’s tainted past with the Astros serves as a reminder of the controversies that have surrounded his career in sports management.
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