Fernando Molina

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Molina's career was intimately related with Atlético Madrid, of which he claimed to be a fan. Signing in 1995, he helped the capital side win a double (league and Copa del Rey) in his first year, going on to miss only two league matches over four seasons. He won the Ricardo Zamora Trophy in 1995–96. Joining 2000 league champions Deportivo La Coruña after Atlético's relegation, Molina helped win a Spanish cup and two supercups, being an undisputed starter throughout his stint in Galicia. However, on 14 October 2002, he announced that he suffered from testicular cancer, and that he was forced to undergo treatment for his illness, thus missing most of the 2002–03 campaign (ten league appearances, as Depor finished third); he eventually recovered fully.

In Their Own Story

Molina made his Spain national team debut as an outfield player against Norway on 24 April 1996 – a cameo appearance as a left winger, as all replacements had been made by coach Javier Clemente and Juan Manuel López retired injured. He was then included in the squads for UEFA Euro 1996 and the 1998 FIFA World Cup, but had to wait until Euro 2000 for first-choice status, although he was dropped after a blunder in the opening 1–0 loss to Norway and did not play afterwards. After his playing career, Molina managed Villarreal C, Villarreal B, Villarreal's main squad, Getafe CF B, Kitchee SC (winning a domestic treble), ATK (winning the Indian Super League in 2016), and Atlético San Luis. He served as sporting director of the Royal Spanish Football Federation from July 2018 to December 2022. On 11 June 2024, he signed as manager of Mohun Bagan Super Giant, leading the club to both the national championship and the League Shield on his debut campaign. On 26 November 2025, he left by mutual consent. The following February, he became head coach of the Honduras national team.

Reader's Guide

For fans tracking Molina's career, key moments include: his La Liga debut on 8 January 1995 with Albacete Balompié in a 1–0 home win against Real Oviedo; his double-winning first season at Atlético Madrid in 1995–96; his testicular cancer diagnosis announced on 14 October 2002; his Euro 2000 blunder in the opening 1–0 loss to Norway; and his managerial treble with Kitchee SC in 2014–15. His coaching path includes stints at Villarreal (reserves and main squad), Getafe CF B, Kitchee, ATK, Atlético San Luis, and Mohun Bagan Super Giant, where he won the Indian Super League and Winners Shield in 2024–25.

Did You Know?

• Molina made his Spain national team debut as an outfield player — a cameo as a left winger — because all replacements had been used and a teammate retired injured.
• He won the Ricardo Zamora Trophy in 1995–96, his first season at Atlético Madrid.
• On 14 October 2002, Molina announced he had testicular cancer, missing most of the 2002–03 season but eventually recovering fully.
• Molina was dropped from Spain's Euro 2000 squad after a blunder in the opening 1–0 loss to Norway.
• He won a domestic treble (Hong Kong Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup) with Kitchee SC in 2014–15.