Place of birth Marchena, Spain Name Antonio Giraldez Years Team Role Footballer | 1973–1975 Sevilla B Height 1.86 m 1975–1988 Sevilla | |
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Full name Antonio Alvarez Giraldez Date of birth (1955-04-10) 10 April 1955 (age 60) | ||
Antonio Álvarez Giráldez (born 10 April 1955) is a Spanish retired footballer who played as a central defender, and a current coach.
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Playing career
Born in Marchena, Seville, and a product of hometown Sevilla FC's prolific youth system, Álvarez made his La Liga debuts during the 1975–76 season, scoring once in eight games as the club finished in 11th position. In the following decade he would be more often than not an undisputed starter for the Andalusians, eventually playing in nearly 350 matches all competitions comprised.
At the end of the 1987–88 campaign, still with Sevilla in the top division, 33-year-old Álvarez – having appeared in just 17 league contests – opted to move on, and signed with neighbouring CD Málaga. In the 1992 summer he joined another side in the region, third level's Granada CF, eventually hanging up his boots at the age of 40.
Coaching career
After retiring, Álvarez eventually worked again with main side Sevilla, serving as assistant under several coaches, the first Joaquín Caparrós in 2000. He was part of Juande Ramos' staff as the club won two consecutive UEFA Cups and one Copa del Rey, amongst other accolades.
In March 2010, after roughly two years as Sevilla's director of football, Álvarez replaced former teammate Manolo Jiménez as first-team manager following his dismissal, after Luis Aragonés, recently departed from Beşiktaş JK, declined an offer to coach the side. He led the team throughout the last ten games of the season, winning six, losing four and robbing RCD Mallorca of the fourth place which qualified for the UEFA Champions League, in the last minute of the last matchday, a 3–2 win at neighbours UD Almería.
On 19 May 2010, Álvarez was also on the bench as Sevilla won the season's domestic cup, with goals from youth graduates Diego Capel and Jesús Navas (2–0). Four months later, following two losses and one draw in three games (two in the league and one in the UEFA Europa League), he was sacked.