Robí di Lathamé was enjoying a delicious, undoubtedly extremely expensive glass of Rioja deep in the bowels of the majestic Santiago Bernabeú. And he couldn't help but reflect on how quickly things had changed.
The amazing rise of Raith Rovers has seen the club go from Scottish League One to European football, Scottish League Cup winners in 2025, through to sitting at the top of the Scottish Premiership moving into 2026.
It was safe to say that Robí di Lathamé was enjoying life in Kirkcaldy, despite the relative lack of finances available to him. And it was in such a happy state of mind soaking in the rare rays on Kirkcaldy beach that he received a phone call from chairman Robbie McGinn.
At this point, I am so glad I'm not streaming Football Manager as... I went absolutely berserk celebrating. I composed myself, went on the defence and time-wasting and we held on for a 2-1 to reach the Europa Conference League Final!!
The town of Kirkcaldy had spent a summer partying in celebration of the club qualifying for the Europa League courtesy of finishing third in the Scottish Premiership in 2023/24.
The regular sight of runners and dog walkers and the distinct smell of frying haggis were noticeably absent as the early morning sun lit up the picturesque Kirkcaldy Bay. It was safe to say that the good folk of Kirkcaldy were feeling somewhat worse for wear.
Plucky Raith Rovers had made an astounding start to their second season in the Ladbrokes Premiership. The side was showing that you can win things with kids as they sat third in the league, well behind leaders Celtic but just one point back from Rangers, and looking forward to a League Cup Final against the former.
Raith Rovers boss Robí di Lathamé came into the summer of 2023 on the back of a string of successful few seasons as a football manager. Having navigated Scottish League One at the first attempt, he'd then won the Championship after two seasons then led the side to a mid-table finish in the Premiership.
Manager Robí di Lathamé was celebrating doubling his wages to £2,500-a-week as a reward for making a solid start to life in the Scottish Premiership.
Young English manager Robí di Lathamé had been granted the luxury of a few days off by Raith Rovers chairman Robbie McGinn. He'd taken a quick weekend break to soak up some sun in the south of France and visited a few pals back in London who'd been keeping up with his Scottish management exploits.
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