Javier Clemente

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Nicknamed El rubio de Barakaldo (The blond from Barakaldo) per his hair colour and town of origin, Clemente coached the Spain national team in two World Cups and Euro 1996. Born in Barakaldo, Biscay, Clemente joined Athletic Bilbao's youth system at the age of 16, from local Barakaldo CF. He was propelled to the first team at only 18 by manager Agustín Gaínza, making his official debut against Liverpool in that season's Inter-Cities Fairs Cup. Clemente's best La Liga output with his only club consisted of 18 games in the 1969–70 campaign. On 23 November 1969, during a league match against CE Sabadell FC, he suffered a serious leg injury (fibula and tibia) from which he never fully recovered; after four unsuccessful operations, he retired aged just 24.

In Their Own Story

The 1984 Copa del Rey final in Madrid was the climax of a bitter rivalry. Clemente's Athletic Bilbao faced César Luis Menotti's FC Barcelona. The match ended in a massive brawl between the two sets of players, capping years of personal attacks between the managers. Clemente had dismissed Menotti as an ageing hippy and womaniser, while Menotti criticised Clemente's playing style as authoritarian and his teams as defensive and destructive. For Clemente, the victory was not just a trophy – it was vindication of his methods and a triumph for his Basque club over the Catalan giants.

Reader's Guide

Clemente started coaching immediately after retiring. His first stops were with local Arenas Club de Getxo, CD Basconia and Athletic's reserves. In summer 1981, 31-year-old Clemente was appointed at Athletic Bilbao. He led the side to back-to-back national championships in his second and third years. He left the Lions midway through the 1985–86 season, after a run-in with star player Manuel Sarabia. He was subsequently appointed at RCD Español, leading them to a best-ever third place in 1987 and the final of the UEFA Cup the following year, but being relieved of his duties in March 1989. In 1992 Clemente was appointed manager of Spain, replacing Vicente Miera after the nation had failed to qualify for UEFA Euro 1992. His first game in charge was a 1–0 friendly win over England on 9 September, and he led the country to the 1994 and 1998 FIFA World Cups and Euro 1996. Clemente's last game in charge was on 5 September 1998, a 3–2 defeat in Cyprus for the Euro 2000 qualifiers. He returned to club action, working in the main division with Real Betis, Real Sociedad, CD Tenerife, Espanyol for a second time, a one-season spell in Ligue 1 with Olympique de Marseille, and back with Athletic Bilbao. Clemente became manager of the Serbia national team on 21 July 2006. Following the failure to qualify for Euro 2008, he was released from his contract on 6 December 2007. On 17 August 2010, following spells with Real Murcia CF and Real Valladolid, Clemente was named as the new coach of Cameroon. He was dismissed on 25 October 2011. On 13 February 2012, Clemente signed as the new manager of Sporting de Gijón. He left the Asturians in May, following their relegation. On 20 September 2013, Clemente was named manager of Libya. He led the nation to its first silverware, the 2014 African Nations Championship, with a penalty shootout win over Ghana in the final in Cape Town. Clemente was sacked by the Mediterranean Knights in October 2016, having won only three of 14 matches. On 6 March 2019, Clemente was appointed as manager for the unofficial national team of the Basque Country. Clemente was re-appointed as head coach of Libya in May 2021. After failing to qualify for the 2021 FIFA Arab Cup and the 2022 World Cup, his one-year contract was allowed to expire.

Did You Know?

• Clemente was nicknamed El rubio de Barakaldo (The blond from Barakaldo) per his hair colour and town of origin.
• He suffered a serious leg injury (fibula and tibia) on 23 November 1969 from which he never fully recovered, retiring aged just 24.
• Clemente led Athletic Bilbao to back-to-back La Liga championships in 1983 and 1984.
• He managed the Spain national team in two World Cups and Euro 1996, with a run of 31 matches without defeat.
• Clemente led Libya to its first silverware, the 2014 African Nations Championship, with a penalty shootout win over Ghana.