Juan Antonio Larrañaga
Encyclopedia
Juan Antonio Larrañaga Gurruchaga (alt.spelling Ion Andoni, born July 3, 1958 in Azpeitia
, Gipuzkoa, Basque Country
) is a retired Spanish
footballer, who played as a defender
.
youth graduate, Larrañaga started playing as a midfielder
, and began his career with local CD Lagun Onak
, being snapped in 1977 by the community
giants. In January 1980, he made his first team debuts in the Spanish Cup
, against Navarre
neighbours Peña Sport FC.
Although he appeared sparingly in 1980–81, as Real won the first of its two consecutive titles, Larrañaga did play in the decisive win at Sporting de Gijón
, in the last round, and featured in all the matches in the following campaign, adding two goals. From 1986–92, he only missed two league
matches combined.
Larrañaga retired at 36, at the end of 1993–94, having played in 460 top flight matches (589 overall, only behind Alberto Górriz
). He is the only player of the league-winning sides to have played in the club's two grounds: Atotxa
and Anoeta
.
, on February 24, 1988, playing the entire 1–2 friendly defeat against Czechoslovakia
, in Málaga
. He also appeared four times four the under-21s
.
, which lasted until the end of 2005–06
.
From 2006–08, Larrañaga served as the youth coordinator of his only professional club, being fired at the end of the second division campaign.
Azpeitia
Azpeitia is a town and municipality within the province of Gipuzkoa, in the Basque Country of Spain, located on the Urola river a few kilometres east of Azkoitia. Its population is 13,708 . It is located 16 miles southwest of Donostia/San Sebastián.Azpeitia is the birth place of Ignatius of Loyola...
, Gipuzkoa, Basque Country
Basque Country (autonomous community)
The Basque Country is an autonomous community of northern Spain. It includes the Basque provinces of Álava, Biscay and Gipuzkoa, also called Historical Territories....
) is a retired Spanish
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
footballer, who played as a defender
Defender (association football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
.
Club career
A Real SociedadReal Sociedad
Real Sociedad de Fútbol, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in the city of San Sebastián, Basque Country, founded on 7 September 1909...
youth graduate, Larrañaga started playing as a midfielder
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
, and began his career with local CD Lagun Onak
CD Lagun Onak
Club Deportivo Lagun Onak is a football team based in Azpeitia in the autonomous community of Basque Country. Founded in 1944, the team plays in Tercera División - Group 4...
, being snapped in 1977 by the community
Basque Country (autonomous community)
The Basque Country is an autonomous community of northern Spain. It includes the Basque provinces of Álava, Biscay and Gipuzkoa, also called Historical Territories....
giants. In January 1980, he made his first team debuts in the Spanish Cup
Copa del Rey
The Copa del Rey is an annual football cup competition for Spanish football teams. Its full name is Campeonato de España – Copa de Su Majestad el Rey de Fútbol ....
, against Navarre
Navarre
Navarre , officially the Chartered Community of Navarre is an autonomous community in northern Spain, bordering the Basque Country, La Rioja, and Aragon in Spain and Aquitaine in France...
neighbours Peña Sport FC.
Although he appeared sparingly in 1980–81, as Real won the first of its two consecutive titles, Larrañaga did play in the decisive win at Sporting de Gijón
Sporting de Gijón
Real Sporting de Gijón, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club from Gijón, Asturias. Founded in 1 June 1905, it currently plays in Spanish first division....
, in the last round, and featured in all the matches in the following campaign, adding two goals. From 1986–92, he only missed two league
La Liga
The Primera División of the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional , commonly known as La Liga or, for sponsorship reasons, Liga BBVA since 2008, is the top professional association football division of the Spanish football league system...
matches combined.
Larrañaga retired at 36, at the end of 1993–94, having played in 460 top flight matches (589 overall, only behind Alberto Górriz
Alberto Górriz
Alberto Górriz Echarte is a retired Spanish footballer who played mainly as a central defender.His main asset was his tremendous heading ability, and he often scored from set pieces...
). He is the only player of the league-winning sides to have played in the club's two grounds: Atotxa
Estadio de Atotxa
Atotxa was a football stadium in San Sebastián, Spain. It was the home ground of Real Sociedad until 1993 when it was replaced by Estadio Anoeta. It had superseded Estadio Ondarreta 75 years earlier. It had a capacity of 17,000 spectators.-External links:*...
and Anoeta
Estadio Anoeta
Anoeta is a multi-purpose stadium in Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain. It is currently used mostly for football matches and is the home stadium of Real Sociedad. In recent years, it has also been used for occasional Heineken Cup rugby union fixtures by nearby French club Biarritz Olympique...
.
International career
Larrañaga received one cap for SpainSpain national football team
The Spain national football team represents Spain in international association football and is controlled by the Royal Spanish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Spain. The current head coach is Vicente del Bosque...
, on February 24, 1988, playing the entire 1–2 friendly defeat against Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia national football team
The Czechoslovakia national football team was the national association football team of Czechoslovakia from 1922 to 1993. At the dissolution of Czechoslovakia at the end of 1992, the team was participating in UEFA qualifying Group 4 for the 1994 World Cup; it completed this campaign under the name...
, in Málaga
Málaga
Málaga is a city and a municipality in the Autonomous Community of Andalusia, Spain. With a population of 568,507 in 2010, it is the second most populous city of Andalusia and the sixth largest in Spain. This is the southernmost large city in Europe...
. He also appeared four times four the under-21s
Spain national under-21 football team
The Spain national under-21 football team, is the national under-21 football team of Spain and is controlled by the Royal Spanish Football Federation. The team, nicknamed La Rojita , competes in the biannual European Under-21 Football Championship.Following the realignment of UEFA's youth...
.
Post-retirement
After retiring, Larrañaga took up coaching, but only in the lower leagues (for six years). He also appeared as a commentator for ETB 1ETB 1
ETB 1 is the first channel from Euskal Telebista , in the Basque Country. The channel broadcasts entirely in Basque and its programming is mainly general.The channel launched on 16 February 1983....
, which lasted until the end of 2005–06
2005–06 La Liga
* Athletic Bilbao* Atlético Madrid* FC Barcelona* Betis* Cádiz CF* Celta de Vigo* Deportivo Alaves* Deportivo de La Coruña* Espanyol* Getafe CF* Málaga CF* RCD Mallorca* CA Osasuna* Racing de Santander* Real Madrid* Real Sociedad* Sevilla FC...
.
From 2006–08, Larrañaga served as the youth coordinator of his only professional club, being fired at the end of the second division campaign.
Honours
- Spanish LeagueLa LigaThe Primera División of the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional , commonly known as La Liga or, for sponsorship reasons, Liga BBVA since 2008, is the top professional association football division of the Spanish football league system...
: 1980–81, 1981–82 - Spanish CupCopa del ReyThe Copa del Rey is an annual football cup competition for Spanish football teams. Its full name is Campeonato de España – Copa de Su Majestad el Rey de Fútbol ....
: 1986–87 - Spanish SupercupSupercopa de EspañaThe Supercopa de España is a Spanish football championship contested by the winners of La Liga and the Copa del Rey...
: 1982