After spells at both Girona FC and Real Zaragoza, Balmanya found his first taste of success at Real Oviedo when he guided them to second place in Segunda División, Group 1 in  1955. However Real missed out on promotion after finishing only third in a play-off group.
Balmanya's early managerial experience was marked by stints at Girona FC and Real Zaragoza, but it wasn't until he took the reins at Real Oviedo that he experienced his first taste of success, leading them to second place in Segunda División, Group 1 in 1955. Unfortunately, Real missed out on promotion after finishing third in a playoff group.