Place of birth Bilbao, Spain Years Team Name Jose Rojo Height 1.77 m | Playing position 1965 Bilbao Athletic Role Footballer Position Forward | |
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Full name Jose Francisco Rojo Arroitia Date of birth (1947-01-28) 28 January 1947 (age 68) | ||
Jose Francisco 'Txetxu' Rojo Arroitia (born 28 January 1947) is a Spanish retired footballer and coach.
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During his career the forward played solely for Athletic Bilbao, in a professional spell which spanned nearly 20 years. He was one of the club's most iconic players, and later also worked as a coach with the team.
Club career
Born in Bilbao, Biscay, Rojo joined local giants Athletic Club de Bilbao's youth ranks at an early age. In 1965 he started playing for its reserves but, after only three appearances, was promoted to the first team, and stayed there until his professional retirement 17 years later.
Rojo made his La Liga debut on 26 September 1965 in a 0–1 away loss against Cordoba CF, and helped Athletic to two Copa del Rey trophies. He played a total of 414 games in the Spanish top flight, becoming the player with the second-most appearances in the Basque side's history, only behind Jose Angel Iribar.
In 1982, aged 35, Rojo retired from football, beginning a coaching career – a testimonial match was held in his honour, with Athletic Bilbao hosting the English national team. His first manager experience would be with Bilbao Athletic, and he was promoted to first-team duties early into the 1989–90 campaign, being sacked at its closure.
After a four-year spell at Celta de Vigo, achieving promotion to the top level in his second season, Rojo returned to the second division for the next three years, coaching CA Osasuna and UE Lleida. For 1997–98 he was appointed at UD Salamanca, helping the modest outfit retain its first division status, and the following season he joined Real Zaragoza, leading it to the fourth place in 2000 – with the club failing to qualify for the UEFA Champions League only because the fifth-placed team, Real Madrid, won the campaign's most important European trophy – which earned him a return to his main team, Bilbao.
After only one season Rojo moved back to Zaragoza, being replaced by Luis Costa on 22 January 2002 after a 2–4 away loss against Sevilla FC, and ultimately being relegated from the top level. He then took a sabbatical year, subsequently joining Rayo Vallecano in division two and again dropping down a category.
International career
Rojo played 18 times for Spain, his debut coming on 26 March 1969 in a friendly with Switzerland held in Valencia. During his nine years as an international he scored three goals, but never took part in any major international tournament.