Position: 17 – 38 points
Grade: C-
Record: 8-14-16
Goals scored: 29
Goals conceded: 48
Top scorer: Alvaro Garcia – 6
First assistant: Unai Lopez – 3
Story of the season
The first season after Andoni Iraola will always be complicated and so it has been proven. Rayo went into it with Francisco, and trying not to hit a working machine, his start was pretty good. While it lasted until spring under Iraola, it did not reach winter this time.
Just one win in 18 games has paid off for Francisco's work, and the arrival of Inigo Perez hasn't signaled many more goals in all fairness. Cycling through Sergio Camello, Raul de Tomas and occasionally Radamel Falcao, no matter the setup, they couldn't find goals – the trio combined for 10 between them.
Perez solidified things a bit at the back, and late wins over Osasuna, Real Betis and Granada meant safety. It would be too generous to say that they had hit on a formula, rather they fought, and Rayo survived.
The problem with Rayo is clearly goals. The second lowest scorer in the division, their defense isn't too bad, but when you can't score, it increases the pressure on the backline even more. Neither Perez nor Francisco had a spark outside RDT, a touch of goals from Camello, or, unsurprisingly, managed to take 10 years from Falcao.
The season is over, Ray stay up that's the most important part. The reality is that they did it because it was one of the worst bottom threes in recent history, and they will be much better next season. It is not unfair to say that they need to start again in the pre-season and find new answers, even if they still have some quality players.
Outstanding moment: Any three ties with Barcelona and Real Madrid. Against the Catalans they feel like the Rayo of old, fierce and relentless. They were also one of the only two sides to stop Real Madrid from scoring all season.
Key player: Oscar Valentin – Rayo might not be controlling the games, but Valentin goes through bundles of work, and holds the fort together.
Seasonal surprise: This is really hard to find – Abdul Mumin? The Ghanaian defender who was playing well was best mate Florian Lejuene.
Glass half full
Can it be worse in front of the goal? You feel that confidence must grow in front of the goal, and if Rayo inspires one of its current options, or finds a new number nine, then Rayo will automatically be a much better team. They still have creativity and quality in Jorge de Frutos, Isi Palazon, Alvaro Garcia and Oscar Trejo behind them.
Perez He will also have a summer to put in place what he wants, rather than just grinding what they need. Rayo are not a team full of stars, but they are capable of more.
Glass half empty
Perhaps the biggest concern is the transfer market. If someone hits a key piece like Garcia or Valentin, it could be very difficult to replace. Sports Director David Cobeno has done a great job in recent years, but there are some points of concern. Isi, Ivan Balliu, Garcia, Lejeune, Trejo, the core are getting old, and Stole Dimitrievski also leaves.
