Name Jose Ochotorena Playing position Role Footballer | Years Team Height 1.80 m 1979–1984 Castilla Position Goalkeeper | |
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Full name Jose Manuel Ochotorena Santacruz Date of birth (1961-01-16) 16 January 1961 (age 54) | ||
Place of birth San Sebastian, Spain | ||
José Manuel Ochotorena Santacruz (born 16 January 1961) is a Spanish retired footballer who played as a goalkeeper.
Football career
Born in San Sebastián, Gipuzkoa, Ochotorena emerged through Real Madrid's youth ranks, making his professional debuts late in 1981–82 due to a professional's strike as he was still part of the reserve squad setup. He would have to wait until the 1985–86 season to become a starter, helping the capital side to that year's La Liga and UEFA Cup titles, but lost his spot the following campaign after the signing of Sevilla FC's Francisco Buyo.
Afterwards, Ochotorena moved to Valencia CF, winning the Ricardo Zamora Trophy in his first season, being replaced mere minutes into the last game at Real Madrid which helped him maintain his average. After three solid seasons at the Mestalla Stadium, he was sent off in a game against the same opponent, and never appeared officially for the Che again; on 17 September 1989, he was on goal in a 2–6 loss to his previous employer.
Ochotorena retired in 1998 at the age of 37, after unassuming spells with CD Tenerife, CD Logroñés (he played most of the games in 1994–95, but the Riojan were relegated) and Racing de Santander. He earned one cap for Spain, taking over for Andoni Zubizarreta for the final ten minutes of a friendly with Poland in A Coruña on 20 September 1989, and was in the final squad for the 1990 FIFA World Cup.
Ochotorena then assumed goalkeeping coach duties at both Valencia and the national team but, when countryman Rafael Benítez joined Premier League side Liverpool in July 2004, he replaced Joe Corrigan.
In July 2007, Ochotorena returned to Valencia once again, being replaced at Liverpool by Xavi Valero. He also continued to work with the national side.