Pichi Alonso
Encyclopedia
Àngel “Pichi” Alonso Herrera (born 17 December 1954 in Benicarló
, Castellón, Valencian Community
) is a former Spanish
footballer, and a current coach.
A striker with a prolific scoring rate whom never won the Pichichi Trophy, he represented, amongst others, both Barcelona
major teams during his career.
, in the second division
, in 1975. Three years later, he moved to Real Zaragoza
, playing 33 top flight
matches in every season he remained there, and never netting less than 15 goals. In his debut year, he scored five in a 8–1 routing of RCD Español
.
In 1982–83, Alonso moved to FC Barcelona
, being relatively used in his debut season, but losing his importance after the purchase of Scotland
's Steve Archibald
, and never regaining it again. Still, he scored three goals against IFK Göteborg
, in the 1986 European Cup semifinals, allowing Barcelona to reach the final against FC Steaua Bucureşti in Seville
, where he came on as a substitute in extra time, in an eventual penalty shootout loss; he was one of four players that had his attempt saved by opposing goalkeeper Helmuth Duckadam
.
Alonso regained his scoring prowess at Barça neighbours Espanyol, helping the side finish third in his first season, with 17 goals. In 1987–88, another penalty shootout loss, now in the UEFA Cup
, against Bayer 04 Leverkusen. He retired the following year, aged 36, having gained three caps for the Spanish football team; his debut came on 21 December 1978, appearing in a 0–1 friendly with Italy
, in Rome
.
Alonso started his manager career as assistant to former Barcelona teammate Víctor Muñoz, at RCD Mallorca
. He then coached the autonomous team of Catalonia
, for several years, while also working as a television pundit for Televisió de Catalunya
.
In 2006, Alonso had a brief spell at Ukraine
's FC Metalurh Donetsk
.
Benicarló
Benicarló is a city and municipality in the north of the province of Castelló, part of the Valencian Community, in the Mediterranean Coast between the cities of Vinaròs and Peníscola, not too far south from the Ebre River....
, Castellón, Valencian Community
Valencian Community
The Valencian Community is an autonomous community of Spain located in central and south-eastern Iberian Peninsula. Its capital and largest city is Valencia...
) is a former Spanish
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...
footballer, and a current coach.
A striker with a prolific scoring rate whom never won the Pichichi Trophy, he represented, amongst others, both Barcelona
Barcelona
Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain after Madrid, and the capital of Catalonia, with a population of 1,621,537 within its administrative limits on a land area of...
major teams during his career.
Football career
Alonso made his professional debuts with local CD CastellónCD Castellón
Club Deportivo Castellón, S.A.D. is a Spanish football team based in Castellón de la Plana, in the Valencian Community. Founded in 1922, it currently plays in Tercera División – Group 6, holding home games at Nou Estadi Castalia, which has a capacity of 16,000.-History:Football first appeared in...
, in the second division
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:...
, in 1975. Three years later, he moved to Real Zaragoza
Real Zaragoza
Real Zaragoza, S.A.D. is a Spanish association football team from Zaragoza in Spain. Founded on 18 March 1932, Real Zaragoza have spent the majority of their 78 year history in the Spanish top-flight. Real Zaragoza are Spain's 9th highest ranked team in overall league points...
, playing 33 top flight
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...
matches in every season he remained there, and never netting less than 15 goals. In his debut year, he scored five in a 8–1 routing of RCD Español
RCD Espanyol
Reial Club Deportiu Espanyol de Barcelona is a sports club based in Barcelona, Spain. It is best known for its football team. Espanyol currently play in the Estadi Cornellà-El Prat with seats for 40,500 spectators. It was inaugurated on 2 August 2009...
.
In 1982–83, Alonso moved to 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....
, being relatively used in his debut season, but losing his importance after the purchase of Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
's Steve Archibald
Steve Archibald
Steven Archibald is a former Scottish football player and manager.- Club career :He first came to prominence playing in midfield for Scottish First Division side Clyde, but was converted to striker when he signed for Aberdeen, forging a prolific partnership with Joe Harper...
, and never regaining it again. Still, he scored three goals against IFK Göteborg
IFK Göteborg
IFK Göteborg is a Swedish professional football club based in Gothenburg. Founded in 1904, the club has won 18 national championship titles, five national cup titles, and two UEFA Cups....
, in the 1986 European Cup semifinals, allowing Barcelona to reach the final against FC Steaua Bucureşti in Seville
Seville
Seville is the artistic, historic, cultural, and financial capital of southern Spain. It is the capital of the autonomous community of Andalusia and of the province of Seville. It is situated on the plain of the River Guadalquivir, with an average elevation of above sea level...
, where he came on as a substitute in extra time, in an eventual penalty shootout loss; he was one of four players that had his attempt saved by opposing goalkeeper Helmuth Duckadam
Helmuth Duckadam
Helmuth Robert Duckadam is a retired Romanian footballer who played as a goalkeeper.He was dubbed "the hero of Seville" due to his heroics in the 1986 European Cup Final, won by his main club, Steaua Bucureşti...
.
Alonso regained his scoring prowess at Barça neighbours Espanyol, helping the side finish third in his first season, with 17 goals. In 1987–88, another penalty shootout loss, now in the UEFA Cup
UEFA Cup
The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
, against Bayer 04 Leverkusen. He retired the following year, aged 36, having gained three caps for the Spanish football team; his debut came on 21 December 1978, appearing in a 0–1 friendly with Italy
Italy national football team
The Italy National Football Team , represents Italy in association football and is controlled by the Italian Football Federation , the governing body for football in Italy. Italy is the second most successful national team in the history of the World Cup having won four titles , just one fewer than...
, in Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
.
Alonso started his manager career as assistant to former Barcelona teammate Víctor Muñoz, at RCD Mallorca
RCD Mallorca
Real Club Deportivo Mallorca is a Spanish football team based on Palma, Majorca, in the Balearic Islands. Founded on 5 March 1916, the team currently plays in the Spanish first division, holding home games at Son Moix....
. He then coached the autonomous team of Catalonia
Catalonia national football team
Catalonia national football team is the official football team of Catalonia. It is organized by the Catalonia Football Federation. The team has been referred to by various names including Selecció Catalana, Selecció de Barcelona and the Catalan XI...
, for several years, while also working as a television pundit for Televisió de Catalunya
Televisió de Catalunya
Televisió de Catalunya is Catalonia's public broadcasting network, officially composed by eight channels: TV3, 33, Super3, 3/24, 3XL, Esport 3, TV3 HD and TV3CAT. K3 was replaced by Super3 in 2009 and 300 was replaced by 3XL in 2010...
.
In 2006, Alonso had a brief spell at Ukraine
Ukraine
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It has an area of 603,628 km², making it the second largest contiguous country on the European continent, after Russia...
's FC Metalurh Donetsk
FC Metalurh Donetsk
FC Metalurh Donetsk is a Ukrainian professional football club from the city of Donetsk. The club currently plays in the Ukrainian Premier League.- Pre-history :...
.
Honours
Barcelona- Spanish LeagueLa LigaThe 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...
: 1984–85 - 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 ....
: 1982–83 - Spanish SupercupSupercopa de EspañaThe Supercopa de España is a Spanish football championship contested by the winners of La Liga and the Copa del Rey...
: 19831983 Supercopa de EspañaThe 1983 Supercopa de España was two-leg Spanish football matches played on 26 October and 30 November 1983. It contested by FC Barcelona, who were Spanish Cup winners in 1982–83, and Athletic Bilbao, who won the 1982–83 Spanish League.-First leg:... - Spanish League CupCopa de la LigaThe Copa de la Liga was a Spanish football tournament created in 1982.Due to time constraints, saturation and club pressure, the competition only lasted four years, being cancelled in 1986...
: 1982–83, 1985–86 - European CupUEFA Champions LeagueThe UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
: Runner-up 1985–86