Iñaki Sáez
Encyclopedia
José Ignacio "Iñaki" Sáez Ruiz (born 23 April 1943) is a retired Spanish
football defender
and manager
.
The vast majority of his professional career was spent with Athletic Bilbao
, which he later also coached in various levels, appearing in more than 300 official games with his main club.
In addition to two other clubs (other than Athletic), Sáez managed the Spanish national team
during two years, being in charge at Euro 2004.
, Basque Country
, Sáez joined local giants Athletic Bilbao
in 1962, from neighbouring Barakaldo CF
. He totalled 46 La Liga
games - with five goals - in his first two seasons combined, but appeared in only 20 in the following three combined, due to injuries.
Again healthy, Sáez appeared regularly for Athletic from 1967–74, helping the Lions to two Copa del Rey
trophies, and retired at the age of 31, having appeared in nearly 350 official games for the club. He was part of a legendary defense that also featured José Ángel Iribar
in goal, Luis María Echeberría
and Jesús Aranguren.
Sáez gained three caps
for Spain
in one month in 1968, his first and his last appearance being against the same opponent, England
, in two losses for the UEFA Euro 1968 qualifying stage (0–1 in London
, 1–2 in Madrid
).
n Helmut Senekowitsch
was fired, and he led the team to a final ninth position, and returned again to the B-team, helping it to a Segunda División
return in 1983.
Sáez again took the reins of the first team in 1985–86, replacing Javier Clemente
for the final 13 games of the season, and leading Athletic to the third place, behing Real Madrid
and FC Barcelona
. In the following four seasons, he coached the reserves in the second level, being again promoted to the first team midway through 1990–91, again replacing Clemente, and being himself fired after round 23 of the following campaign, as the team only finished two points above the relegation zone.
After two spells with UD Las Palmas
, both in division three, Sáez was appointed at Albacete Balompié
in the top flight, replacing fired Benito Floro in mid-March 1996, his first game in charge being a 0–2 away loss against Real Madrid, as the season finished in relegation through the playoffs.
manager, winning the UEFA European Football Championship
two years later
, after defeating Greece. Also being in charge of the under-20s
, he led them to the FIFA World Cup of the category
in 1999
, in Nigeria
.
In 2002, Sáez was named José Antonio Camacho
's successor at the helm of the senior team, being in charge until the end of Euro 2004- which ended in group stage exit - and collecting 15 wins, six draws and two losses in his 23 games in charge.
Subsequently, Sáez returned to the under-21 team, retiring from the football world in 2008 at the age of 65.
Spain U18
Spain U19
Spain U20
Spain U21
Spain U23
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
football defender
Defender (association football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
and manager
Coach (sport)
In sports, a coach is an individual involved in the direction, instruction and training of the operations of a sports team or of individual sportspeople.-Staff:...
.
The vast majority of his professional career was spent with Athletic Bilbao
Athletic Bilbao
Athletic Club, also known as Athletic Bilbao, is an association football club from Bilbao in Biscay, Spain. The club has played in the Primera División of La Liga since its start in 1928. They have won La Liga on eight occasions...
, which he later also coached in various levels, appearing in more than 300 official games with his main club.
In addition to two other clubs (other than Athletic), Sáez managed the Spanish national team
Spain national football team
The Spain national football team represents Spain in international association football and is controlled by the Royal Spanish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Spain. The current head coach is Vicente del Bosque...
during two years, being in charge at Euro 2004.
Playing career
Born in BilbaoBilbao
Bilbao ) is a Spanish municipality, capital of the province of Biscay, in the autonomous community of the Basque Country. With a population of 353,187 , it is the largest city of its autonomous community and the tenth largest in Spain...
, Basque Country
Basque Country (autonomous community)
The Basque Country is an autonomous community of northern Spain. It includes the Basque provinces of Álava, Biscay and Gipuzkoa, also called Historical Territories....
, Sáez joined local giants Athletic Bilbao
Athletic Bilbao
Athletic Club, also known as Athletic Bilbao, is an association football club from Bilbao in Biscay, Spain. The club has played in the Primera División of La Liga since its start in 1928. They have won La Liga on eight occasions...
in 1962, from neighbouring Barakaldo CF
Barakaldo CF
Barakaldo Club de Fútbol is a Spanish football team based in Barakaldo, in the autonomous community of the Basque Country. Founded in 1917, it plays in Tercera División - Group 4, holding home matches at Estadio Nuevo Lasesarre, with a capacity of 7,960 seats.-Club names:*Baracaldo Football-Club —...
. He totalled 46 La Liga
La Liga
The Primera División of the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional , commonly known as La Liga or, for sponsorship reasons, Liga BBVA since 2008, is the top professional association football division of the Spanish football league system...
games - with five goals - in his first two seasons combined, but appeared in only 20 in the following three combined, due to injuries.
Again healthy, Sáez appeared regularly for Athletic from 1967–74, helping the Lions to two Copa del Rey
Copa del Rey
The Copa del Rey is an annual football cup competition for Spanish football teams. Its full name is Campeonato de España – Copa de Su Majestad el Rey de Fútbol ....
trophies, and retired at the age of 31, having appeared in nearly 350 official games for the club. He was part of a legendary defense that also featured José Ángel Iribar
José Ángel Iribar
José Ángel Iribar Cortajarena, nicknamed El Chopo , is a retired Spanish football goalkeeper and manager....
in goal, Luis María Echeberría
Luis María Echeberría
Luis María Echeberría Igartua is a retired Spanish footballer who played as a defender.-Club career:Born in Asúa, Biscay, Basque Country, Echeberría signed for Athletic Bilbao in 1961 at the age of 21, from neighbouring CD Baskonia, at that time still not the club's farm team...
and Jesús Aranguren.
Sáez gained three caps
Cap (sport)
In sports, a cap is a metaphorical term for a player's appearance on a select team, such as a national team. The term dates from the practice in the United Kingdom of awarding a cap to every player in an international match of association football...
for Spain
Spain national football team
The Spain national football team represents Spain in international association football and is controlled by the Royal Spanish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Spain. The current head coach is Vicente del Bosque...
in one month in 1968, his first and his last appearance being against the same opponent, England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
, in two losses for the UEFA Euro 1968 qualifying stage (0–1 in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, 1–2 in Madrid
Madrid
Madrid is the capital and largest city of Spain. The population of the city is roughly 3.3 million and the entire population of the Madrid metropolitan area is calculated to be 6.271 million. It is the third largest city in the European Union, after London and Berlin, and its metropolitan...
).
Club
Aged only 32, Sáez began a managerial career, taking charge of Athletic Bilbao's youth sides for five years. Only two games into the 1980–81 season, AustriaAustria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
n Helmut Senekowitsch
Helmut Senekowitsch
Helmut Senekowitsch was an Austrian football player and later a football manager.-Club career:He played for several clubs, including SK Sturm Graz, Real Betis and FC Wacker Innsbruck.-International career:...
was fired, and he led the team to a final ninth position, and returned again to the B-team, helping it to a Segunda División
Segunda División
The Segunda División is the lower tier of the two professional football leagues in Spain. From the season 2008-09 onwards, the name of the league is Liga Adelante.-History:...
return in 1983.
Sáez again took the reins of the first team in 1985–86, replacing Javier Clemente
Javier Clemente
Javier Clemente Lázaro, is a Spanish football manager. The veteran La Liga manager has spent most of his career at two clubs: Athletic Bilbao and RCD Espanyol. Between 1992 and 1998, he managed Spain and went 31 games unbeaten. He was also the the first foreign manager of Serbia. His most recent...
for the final 13 games of the season, and leading Athletic to the third place, behing Real Madrid
Real Madrid C.F.
Real Madrid Club de Fútbol , commonly known as Real Madrid, is a professional football club based in Madrid, Spain. The club have won a record 31 La Liga titles, the Primera División of the Liga de Fútbol Profesional , 18 Copas del Rey, 8 Spanish Super Cups, 1 Copa Eva Duarte and 1 Copa de la...
and FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona
Futbol Club Barcelona , also known as Barcelona and familiarly as Barça, is a professional football club, based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain....
. In the following four seasons, he coached the reserves in the second level, being again promoted to the first team midway through 1990–91, again replacing Clemente, and being himself fired after round 23 of the following campaign, as the team only finished two points above the relegation zone.
After two spells with UD Las Palmas
UD Las Palmas
Unión Deportiva Las Palmas, S.A.D. is a Spanish football team based in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, in the autonomous community of Canary Islands...
, both in division three, Sáez was appointed at Albacete Balompié
Albacete Balompié
Albacete Balompié, S.A.D. is a Spanish football team based in Albacete, in the autonomous community of Castile-La Mancha. Founded on August 2, 1940, it currently plays in Segunda División B, holding home matches at Estadio Carlos Belmonte, with a 17,300-seat capacity.-History:The club was founded...
in the top flight, replacing fired Benito Floro in mid-March 1996, his first game in charge being a 0–2 away loss against Real Madrid, as the season finished in relegation through the playoffs.
Spain
In the 1996 summer, Sáez was appointed the Spanish under-21 teamSpain national under-21 football team
The Spain national under-21 football team, is the national under-21 football team of Spain and is controlled by the Royal Spanish Football Federation. The team, nicknamed La Rojita , competes in the biannual European Under-21 Football Championship.Following the realignment of UEFA's youth...
manager, winning the UEFA European Football Championship
UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship
The European Under-21 Football Championship is a football competition organised by the sport's European governing body, UEFA. It is held every two years. The competition has existed in its current form since 1978. It was preceded by the Under 23 Challenge Cup which ran from 1967 to 1970...
two years later
1998 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship
The UEFA U-21 Championship 1998, which spanned two years , had 46 entrants. Before the quarter-finals stage, Romania were chosen as the hosts of the final stages, consisting of four matches in total....
, after defeating Greece. Also being in charge of the under-20s
Spain national under-20 football team
The Spain national under-20 football team represents Spain in international football at this age level and is controlled by Royal Spanish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Spain.-FIFA World Youth Championship Record:...
, he led them to the FIFA World Cup of the category
FIFA U-20 World Cup
The FIFA U-20 World Cup, until 2005 known as the FIFA World Youth Championship, is the world championship of football for male players under the age of 20 and is organized by Fédération Internationale de Football Association...
in 1999
1999 FIFA World Youth Championship
The 1999 FIFA World Youth Championship took place in Nigeria between April 3 and April 24, 1999. The 1999 championship was the 12th contested.- Qualification :The following 24 teams qualified for the 1999 FIFA World Youth Championship.-Squads:...
, in Nigeria
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
.
In 2002, Sáez was named José Antonio Camacho
José Antonio Camacho
José Antonio Camacho Alfaro is a retired Spanish footballer who played as a left defender, and the current coach of the China PR national football team....
's successor at the helm of the senior team, being in charge until the end of Euro 2004- which ended in group stage exit - and collecting 15 wins, six draws and two losses in his 23 games in charge.
Subsequently, Sáez returned to the under-21 team, retiring from the football world in 2008 at the age of 65.
Player
Athletic Bilbao- Spanish CupCopa del ReyThe Copa del Rey is an annual football cup competition for Spanish football teams. Its full name is Campeonato de España – Copa de Su Majestad el Rey de Fútbol ....
: 1968–69, 1972–73; Runner-up 1965–66, 1966–67
Manager
Bilbao Athletic- Third DivisionSegunda División BSegunda División B is the third level of the Spanish football league system. It is administered by the RFEF. The top two levels are La Liga, also referred to as the Primera División, and the Segunda División. Immediately below Segunda División B is the Tercera Division...
: 1982–83, 1988–89
Spain U18
- UEFA European Football ChampionshipUEFA European Under-19 Football ChampionshipThe European Under 19 Football Championship is an annual football competition organised by the sport's European governing body, UEFA. The competition has been held since 1948. It was originally called the FIFA junior tournament, until it was taken over by UEFA in 1955...
: Third-place 1997
Spain U19
- UEFA European Football ChampionshipUEFA European Under-19 Football ChampionshipThe European Under 19 Football Championship is an annual football competition organised by the sport's European governing body, UEFA. The competition has been held since 1948. It was originally called the FIFA junior tournament, until it was taken over by UEFA in 1955...
: 20022002 UEFA European Under-19 Football ChampionshipThe 2002 UEFA Under-19 Championship was held in Norway between 21 July and 28 July 2002. The top three finishers in each group qualified for the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship. Players born on or after 1 January 1983 were eligible to participate in this competition.It was the first tournament...
Spain U20
- FIFA U-20 World CupFIFA U-20 World CupThe FIFA U-20 World Cup, until 2005 known as the FIFA World Youth Championship, is the world championship of football for male players under the age of 20 and is organized by Fédération Internationale de Football Association...
: 19991999 FIFA World Youth ChampionshipThe 1999 FIFA World Youth Championship took place in Nigeria between April 3 and April 24, 1999. The 1999 championship was the 12th contested.- Qualification :The following 24 teams qualified for the 1999 FIFA World Youth Championship.-Squads:...
Spain U21
- UEFA European Football ChampionshipUEFA European Under-21 Football ChampionshipThe European Under-21 Football Championship is a football competition organised by the sport's European governing body, UEFA. It is held every two years. The competition has existed in its current form since 1978. It was preceded by the Under 23 Challenge Cup which ran from 1967 to 1970...
: 19981998 UEFA European Under-21 Football ChampionshipThe UEFA U-21 Championship 1998, which spanned two years , had 46 entrants. Before the quarter-finals stage, Romania were chosen as the hosts of the final stages, consisting of four matches in total....
; Third-place 20002000 UEFA European Under-21 Football ChampionshipThe UEFA U-21 Championship 2000, which spanned two years , had 47 entrants. Northern Ireland competed for the first time. For the first time a finals tournament with two groups of four teams was held, with one of those teams, Slovakia, having been chosen as the hosts.Italy U-21s won the...
Spain U23
- Summer Olympic GamesSummer Olympic GamesThe Summer Olympic Games or the Games of the Olympiad are an international multi-sport event, occurring every four years, organized by the International Olympic Committee. Medals are awarded in each event, with gold medals for first place, silver for second and bronze for third, a tradition that...
: Silver medalSilver medalA silver medal is a medal awarded to the second place finisher of contests such as the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, and contests with similar formats....
2000Football at the 2000 Summer OlympicsThe football tournament at the 2000 Summer Olympics was the 20th official Olympic football tournament. A women's tournament was held for the second time.-Medal winners:-Venues:*Olympic Stadium, Sydney*Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney*Bruce Stadium, Canberra...