Full name Antonio Tapia Flores Years Team 1989–1992 Fuengirola Role Football player | 1986–1989 CD Mijas Name Antonio Tapia | |
Date of birth (1959-11-13) 13 November 1959 (age 56) | ||
Football career
Tapia had an unassuming career as a footballer, only representing Atletico Malagueno and amateurs UD Fuengirola. Still not in his 30s he began a coaching career, with another side in Andalusia, CD Mijas, continuing in the area (and the regional leagues) the following years, with Fuengirola and CD Los Boliches.
In 1994 Tapia joined Malaga CF's coaching staff as assistant, staying there for two years before moving in the same capacity to neighbouring Cadiz CF. He had his first spell as head manager with Polideportivo Ejido – still in Andalusia – in 1997, helping the side promote to Segunda Division in 2001, although he would be sacked 11 matches into the following campaign due to bad results.
Tapia returned to Malaga's reserves in 2002, attaining another second division promotion. After Gregorio Manzano's dismissal midway through the 2004–05 season, he took the reins of the first team – in La Liga – being sacked in the same period of the following year, and replaced by director of football Manolo Hierro, in an eventual relegation.
For the following two years Tapia had spells in the second level and his native region, with Ejido and soon-to-be defunct Granada 74 CF, with relegation in the latter. He then returned to the top flight and Malaga – freshly promoted – and almost led the side to qualification to the UEFA Europa League, after finishing eighth.
After refusing a new deal in order to listen to other offers, Tapia would eventually leave his place to Juan Ramon Lopez Muniz (who returned from Racing de Santander after just one year), signing with Real Betis in division two.
After a series of bad results, the last a 0–1 loss at Levante UD, Tapia was sacked on 24 January 2010, only being in charge for six months. Exactly one year after his dismissal he was appointed at CD Tenerife, becoming the Canary Islands outfit's third manager in the second division season; in late March, he too was relieved of his duties.
On 21 August 2012 Tapia returned to Malaga, joining the team's football directory as a sporting adviser.