José Francisco Molina

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.

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.
• 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.