TFA Exclusive Interview: Jorge Vallejo At Rayo Vallecano B – Future-Proofing Their Positional DNA

Rayo Vallecano “B” sit in the playoffs zone in Tercera RFEF, Group 7.

The team from Vallecas chase RSD Alcalá and show a unique style of play, including long passing circuits from the backline, false wingers, and offensive full-backs.

This enjoyable approach requires time, trust, and proof to get the results that are currently being achieved.

Here at Total Football Analysis, we had the privilege of sitting down with Jorge Vallejo, head coach at Rayo Vallecano “B”, and the main part of the methodological structure of the academy.

In the first part of the exclusive interview, Jorge Vallejo explains how an academy from La Liga uses similar ideas in every category.

We will introduce Vallecanos methodology in their game model from the youngest boys to the first team and Rayo Vallecano “B”.

Who Is Jorge Vallejo?

TFA: Tell us about your career; how did you start training?

Vallejo: I started at 19 years old when I left Cercedilla from Tercera RFEF in December, and I went to San Cristóbal De Los Ángeles.

At San Cris, the president told me, “The condition for returning here is training a kids’ team.”

So, that was in 1998, and I took an Alevín (U12).

We did not have too many resources.

Usually, we needed to bring the guys in our car to the matches.

Anyway, I was there from 1998 until 2006.

Then, I decided to go to Moratalaz.

We had a good season at San Cristóbal.

One kid went to Real Madrid, another to Rayo Vallecano.

The group was broken, and I wanted new experiences.

I took a Juvenil (U16), and we got a place in Juvenil Nacional (the best tournament in the category) for some years.

Once the guys from the category grew up, I took Moratalaz ‘B’ with almost the same squad.

I was there for one year and got the first team in Preferente.

We completed five seasons in Preferente and were historically promoted to Tercera RFEF.

After five or six more years there, we were relegated to Preferente, and at the beginning of the last season, I came to Rayo Vallecano.

TFA: Independently, without considering the names or profiles in your squad, how would you describe your game model?

Vallejo: I have always been in love with enjoyable football, you know?

When I was younger, I liked Sacchi’s Milan, Van Basten-Gullit-Rijkaard’s Netherlands national team, and Cruyff’s Barça—the teams with good ball treatment, playing well.

Then, Pep Guardiola’s Barça era appeared, and it was crucial to me—I tend to analyse, record, and watch that team frequently.

Come on, I love it.

Since I started training, I have conveyed to the kids the idea of maintaining ball possession, enjoying the game with the ball at their feet, and making it fun.

When you grow in the youth categories, you hear the typical sentences, such as “Yes, you can do this now with children, but with older players, you will not.”

You play in that way at Alevín, at Juvenil Nacional… you go to big fields like Valdebebas or Cerro del Espino (Real Madrid & Atlético Madrid fields) and speak with those coaches.

They tell you, “Obviously, it is because you have players to apply that idea” and I think “how can a youth category from a first division squad think in that way?”

I think those are excuses to avoid deep-diving into the game and being afraid of losses.

I have played this way at Preferente and Tercera RFEF with Moratalaz: I have a recognisable style in possession and press high.

We got a playoff final that we lost in Mostoles’ home being ourselves, taking the protagonism with the ball.

Many players shone and earned attention to increase their level with other teams.

A year ago, I came to Rayo Vallecano, which I think is the ideal place to apply my game model, help the players become their best selves, and give them an opportunity to join the first team.

I believe in this—a fun game model, having the ball for as much time as possible, being ultra-aggressive out of possession to recover it in the fastest way.

Finally, after this main idea, we have a lot of concepts to develop.

Rayo Vallecanos DNA & Working At An Academy

TFA: Now, being part of this big ecosystem, how does the first team designate the game model in every category?

Vallejo: That’s why the club proposed that I join the methodology department.

We have been trying to employ the same idea in all the categories and work together in similar ways.

This is not a three-day job, for sure.

We have to convince all the coaches and players of a similar philosophy.

For me, it is key that a club, not only a squad, possess a proper identity and a path to follow.

In recent years, the first team under Paco Jémez, Míchel, Andoni Iraola, and now Íñigo Pérez have a very clear identity—their teams have been very aggressive out of possession, pressing incredibly high after losing the ball.

So, it would not make sense if we, at Juvenil or Rayo B, usually defend in a low block.

Come on, if those guys touch even a bit of the first team, they will have to put their efforts high, become aggressive, and complete an insane amount of pressing work.

We need to implement this ‘DNA’ from the youngest categories, so if any of these players get an opportunity with the first team, they will be as prepared as possible.

The coaches from other categories are not alone.

We have developed a common language for naming the key zones of the pitch in the same way in all categories, giving importance to what we call “squares.”

This way, players will grow up hearing the same names in the same zones, which will help them understand the game.

The other determining factor is that Rayo Vallecano’s fans applaud when you play well.

At the stadium