Iñaki Sáez

Athletic Bilbao legend and Spain manager at Euro 2004

José Ignacio "Iñaki" Sáez Ruiz (born 23 April 1943) is a Spanish former football player and manager. A defender, he spent the vast majority of his professional career with Athletic Bilbao, appearing in more than 300 official games in 12 seasons, and later coached it at various levels. In addition to two other clubs, Sáez managed the Spain national team for two years, being in charge at Euro 2004.

Quick Facts

Full name: José Ignacio Sáez Ruiz
Born: 23 April 1943
Birthplace: Bilbao, Spain
Height: 1.70 m / 5 ft 7 in
Position: Defender

Lore & Background

Born in Bilbao, Basque Country, Sáez joined Athletic Bilbao in 1962 from Barakaldo. He totalled 46 La Liga games with five goals in his first two seasons, but only 20 the following three due to injuries. From 1967 to 1974 he appeared regularly, helping Athletic to two Copa del Rey trophies, and retired at age 31 after 338 competitive matches. He earned three caps for Spain in one month in 1968, his first and last appearances both against England in UEFA Euro 1968 qualifying losses.

Reader's Guide

Sáez began managing immediately after retiring, coaching Athletic Bilbao's youth sides for five years. He took over the first team two games into 1980–81, leading them to ninth place, then returned to the reserves, helping them return to Segunda División in 1983. He again managed the main squad in 1985–86, replacing Javier Clemente for the final 13 fixtures and finishing third. He coached the reserves in the second tier for four seasons, then was promoted to the first team midway through 1990–91, again replacing Clemente, but was fired after round 23 of the following campaign. After two spells with Las Palmas in the third division, he was appointed at top-flight Albacete in mid-March 1996, replacing Benito Floro; his first game in charge was a 2–0 away loss against Real Madrid, and the season ended in relegation via playoffs. He managed Spain's under-21 team from summer 1996, winning the UEFA European Championship in 1998, and also led the under-20s to the FIFA World Youth Championship in 1999. He became senior team manager in 2002, remaining until after Euro 2004 group-stage exit, with 15 wins, six draws and two losses in 23 matches. He then returned to the under-21 team.

Did You Know?

Sáez was part of a legendary Athletic Bilbao defense that included goalkeeper José Ángel Iribar, Luis María Echeberría, and Jesús Aranguren.
He won the Copa del Generalísimo with Athletic Bilbao in 1969 and 1972–73.
As Spain under-21 manager, he won the UEFA European Championship in 1998 by defeating Greece.
He led Spain under-20 to the FIFA World Youth Championship in 1999 in Nigeria.