Andoni Goikoetxea Olaskoaga Spanish footballer and football coach Date of Birth: 23.05.1956 Country: Spain

1. Andoni Goikoetxea: The "Butcher of Bilbao"
2. Early Career at Athletic Bilbao
3. Reputation for Aggression
4. Transition to Atlético Madrid and Retirement
5. International Career
6. Coaching Career

Andoni Goikoetxea: The "Butcher of Bilbao"

Andoni Goikoetxea, a Spanish footballer and coach, played as a central defender for Athletic Bilbao, Atlético Madrid, and the Spanish national team. Known for his aggressive and controversial style of play, he earned the nicknames "The Butcher of Bilbao" and "The Monster."

Early Career at Athletic Bilbao

Goikoetxea joined Athletic Bilbao in 1973, initially playing for the youth and reserve teams. He made his debut for the first team in 1975, becoming a regular starter under the management of Javier Clemente. During the late 1970s and early 1980s, Athletic Bilbao achieved significant success, winning two La Liga titles (1983 and 1984), the Copa del Rey (1984), and the Supercopa de España (1984). Goikoetxea was a key player in these triumphs, alongside Dani, Andoni Zubizarreta, and Manuel Sarabia.

Reputation for Aggression

Simultaneously, Goikoetxea gained notoriety for his excessive aggression. He played with extreme physicality, often injuring opponents, spitting at them, and striking them off the ball. On September 24, 1983, in a match against Barcelona, he infamously broke Diego Maradona's ankle with a brutal tackle. Goikoetxea has preserved the boot he wore in that game as a memento in his living room. Other high-profile players who suffered at his hands included Bernd Schuster and Hugo Sánchez.

Transition to Atlético Madrid and Retirement

In 1987, Goikoetxea moved to Atlético Madrid but became a peripheral figure, making only 35 league appearances in three seasons. He retired from playing in 1990 at the age of 34, having scored 44 goals in 369 games for Athletic Bilbao.

International Career

Goikoetxea represented the Spanish national team 39 times, scoring four goals. He played in the European Championship in 1984 and the World Cup in 1986. In 1988, he made his final appearance for Spain in a match against West Germany.

Coaching Career

After retiring as a player, Goikoetxea embarked on a coaching career. He was part of the coaching staff for the Spanish national team at the 1994 World Cup. As a head coach, he managed Salamanca (twice), Compostela, Numancia (twice), Racing Santander, Rayo Vallecano, and Hércules. His most notable achievement was leading Salamanca to promotion to La Liga in 1997.