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Javier IruretaSpanish football player and football coach
Date of Birth: 01.04.1948
Country:  Spain |
Content:
- Javier Irureta: A Legendary Figure in Spanish Football
- Early Life and Career as a Player
- Transition to Athletic Bilbao
- Coaching Career: Early Successes
- Super Depor: The Golden Era at Deportivo La Coruña
- Achievements
Javier Irureta: A Legendary Figure in Spanish Football
Javier Irureta Gutiérrez, a renowned figure in Spanish football, has left an indelible mark as both a player and a coach.
Early Life and Career as a Player
Born in Irun, Spain, in 1948, Irureta began his professional career in 1965 with Real Unión. Two years later, he played a pivotal role in the club's promotion to the Segunda División.
In 1967, Irureta joined Atlético Madrid, where he gained prominence. As a forward, he contributed to the club's La Liga triumphs in 1969-70 and 1972-73, and the Copa del Rey in 1971-72. Notably, Atlético also reached the European Cup final in 1973-74, and in the subsequent Intercontinental Cup, Irureta scored a goal in the 2-0 home victory against Independiente.
Transition to Athletic Bilbao
After nine seasons with Atlético, Irureta returned to the Basque region in 1976, signing for Athletic Bilbao. With Athletic, he claimed the runner-up position in La Liga and the UEFA Cup in the 1976-77 season.
Coaching Career: Early Successes
Irureta's coaching journey commenced at Sestao, followed by Logroñés and Oviedo. With Oviedo, he secured a sixth-place finish in La Liga in 1990-91, earning a UEFA Cup berth. In 1998, he repeated this feat with Celta, while also receiving the Don Balón Coach of the Year award.
Super Depor: The Golden Era at Deportivo La Coruña
Irureta's most significant coaching achievements came with Deportivo La Coruña, which he led from 1998 to 2005. In the 1999-00 season, he guided the team to its first-ever La Liga title, earning the Coach of the Year award once more.
Under Irureta, Deportivo consistently challenged for trophies, winning two runners-up finishes, two third-place finishes, the Copa del Rey in 2001-02, and two Spanish Super Cups. Moreover, the team reached the Champions League quarterfinals twice and the semifinals once.
Achievements
As a Player:- La Liga: 1969-70, 1972-73 (Atlético Madrid)
- Copa del Rey: 1971-72 (Atlético Madrid)
- Intercontinental Cup: 1974 (Atlético Madrid)
As a Coach:
- La Liga: 1999-00 (Deportivo La Coruña)
- Copa del Rey: 2001-02 (Deportivo La Coruña)
- Spanish Super Cup: 2000, 2002 (Deportivo La Coruña)
- UEFA Cup: 1976-77 (Athletic Bilbao)
Having coached eight different clubs in his career, Javier Irureta has established himself as one of the most successful and influential figures in the history of Spanish football.
