Koldo Aguirre
Athletic Bilbao midfielder and manager, two-time Copa del Rey winner.
Luis María "Koldo" Aguirre Vidaurrázaga (27 April 1939 – 3 July 2019) was a Spanish football midfielder and manager. He played for Athletic Bilbao for twelve years, appearing in 297 competitive matches (61 goals scored) and winning two Copa del Rey trophies.
Quick Facts
- Full name
- Luis María Aguirre Vidaurrázaga
- Born
- 27 April 1939
- Birthplace
- Sondika, Spain
- Died
- 3 July 2019
- Place of death
- Bilbao, Spain
- Height
- 1.74 m / 5 ft 9 in
- Position
- Midfielder
- Total caps
- 234
Lore & Background
Born in Sondika, Biscay, Aguirre joined Athletic Bilbao in 1957 at age 18 from CD Getxo. He made his La Liga debut on 19 January 1958 in a 2–1 away loss against Real Zaragoza. He scored a career-best 11 goals in 29 games in 1961–62. He won his second domestic cup near the end of his spell with Athletic. After retiring, he worked as an ambassador with Athletic Bilbao supporters.
Reader's Guide
Koldo Aguirre played as a midfielder for Athletic Bilbao from 1957 to 1969, making 297 competitive appearances and scoring 61 goals. He won the Copa del Generalísimo in 1958 and 1969. He later managed Athletic Bilbao from 1976 to 1979, finishing third twice and reaching the finals of the Copa del Rey and UEFA Cup in 1977. He also managed Hércules CF, Valencia CF, RCD Mallorca, and Bilbao Athletic.
Did You Know?
- Aguirre's younger brother Iñaki, a goalkeeper, died of leukaemia, prompting Koldo to retire early from professional football.
- As manager of Valencia in 1982, his team defeated leaders Real Madrid on the final matchday, helping Athletic Bilbao win the league title.
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