Eusebio Sacristán Mena (Spanish pronunciation:[ewˈseβjosakɾisˈtan]; born 13 April 1964), known simply as Eusebio in his playing days, is a Spanish former professional
footballer who played as a
central midfielder, currently a
manager.
He started and ended his 20-year senior career at
Real Valladolid, and won an array of domestic and European silverware in his seven seasons at
Barcelona. Internationally, he represented
Spain at
Euro 1988.
Eusebio could only total 36 appearances in his last two seasons, this prompting a move to
RC Celta de Vigo in 1995[5] where he posted two more solid campaigns. He retired in 2002 at the age of 38 with Valladolid, having played 543
La Liga matches (the only division he competed in after being promoted to his first club's first team), third-best in the competition only behind
Andoni Zubizarreta and
Raúl.[6][7][8]
International
Eusebio earned 15
caps for
Spain,[9] the first coming on 24 September 1986 in a
friendly with
Greece, in
Gijón.[10] He was subsequently picked for the final squad at
UEFA Euro 1988, taking part in no games as the national team exited in the group stage in
West Germany.
Coaching career
Upon retiring, Sacristán opened a football school in
Valladolid for 6-to-12-year-old children.[11] He also obtained his coaching degree and, from 2003 to 2008, was part of
Frank Rijkaard's staff at Barcelona.[12]
On 2 March 2009, Sacristán was named head coach of another former club, Celta, as the
Galician side
struggled in the
Segunda División.[13]The following season was not any better, as although the team eventually retained their status with ease they struggled until the last month of competition;[14] he was let go when his contract expired in June 2010.[15]
Sacristán returned to Barcelona for
2011–12, being appointed
the reserves' manager after
Luis Enrique left for
A.S. Roma.[16] He led them to the third position in his
third year;[17] however, following a string of poor results, on 9 February 2015 he was relieved of his duties and replaced by youth coach
Jordi Vinyals.[18]
On 9 November 2015, Sacristán was named manager of top-flight
Real Sociedad after the dismissal of
David Moyes.[19][20] On 18 March 2018, he was himself fired.[21][22]
^"25 años de la Copa de la Liga" [25 years from the League Cup]. El Norte de Castilla (in Spanish). 2009. Archived from
the original on 19 February 2015. Retrieved 20 May 2016.
^Perearnau, Francesc (30 October 1986).
"¡¡¡Campeones!!!" [Champions!!!]. Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). Retrieved 5 June 2014.