Ángel Merino

Ángel Miguel Merino Torres (born 2 October 1966) is a Spanish retired footballer who played as a central midfielder, and is a manager.

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Merino and the second or maternal family name is Torres.
Ángel Merino
Personal information
Full name Ángel Miguel Merino Torres
Date of birth (1966-10-02) 2 October 1966
Place of birth Madrid, Spain
Height 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in)
Position(s) Midfielder
Youth career
AV La Chimenea
1983–1985 Moscardó
1985–1986 Leganés
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1986–1988 Leganés 24 (5)
1988–1994 Osasuna 190 (17)
1994–1997 Celta 103 (9)
1997–1999 Las Palmas 47 (4)
1999–2001 Leganés 72 (8)
2001–2002 Burgos 40 (4)
2002–2003 Ceuta 21 (2)
Total 497 (49)
Teams managed
2004–2008 Osasuna (youth)
2008–2013 Osasuna B
2013–2014 Peña Sport
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

He amassed La Liga totals of 293 games and 26 goals over nine seasons, with Osasuna and Celta. He added 158 matches and 16 goals in Segunda División, in representation of three clubs.

Merino started working as a manager in 2004, spending several years at Osasuna in various capacities.

Playing career

Born in Madrid, Merino started playing football with local club CD Leganés, with whom he appeared in two Segunda División B seasons. In 1988, he moved straight into La Liga after signing with CA Osasuna, making his debut in the competition on 4 September in an away match against Real Madrid and scoring the last goal in a 2–2 draw.[1]

In 1992–93, Merino scored a career-best six goals (in 35 matches),[2][3][4][5][6][7] helping the Navarrese finish in tenth position. After the team's relegation the following campaign,[8] he joined RC Celta de Vigo also in the top flight, being first-choice during his three-year tenure.

From 1997 to 2002, Merino competed in Segunda División, netting a combined 16 goals for UD Las Palmas, Leganés and Burgos CF and suffering administrative relegation with the latter team. He retired at the age of 36, after one season in the third level with AD Ceuta.

Coaching career

One year after retiring, Merino returned to Osasuna and started working with its youth sides. In March 2008 he was appointed at the reserves who competed in division three, his first game in charge being a 1–0 away win over CF Palencia late into the month.[9]

After being relegated from the third tier in 2013, Merino cut ties with the club and joined neighbouring Peña Sport FC, in the same capacity.[10] After meeting the same fate, he was relieved of his duties.

Personal life

Merino's son, Mikel, is also a footballer and a midfielder. He too played for Osasuna.[11]

References
  1. "¡Chupinazo pamplonica!" [Chupinazo from Pamplona!]. Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). 5 September 1988. Retrieved 19 June 2016.
  2. Goñi, Mikel (14 September 1992). "Osasuna recobra la chispa" [Osasuna rediscover spark]. Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). Retrieved 19 June 2016.
  3. Goñi, Mikel (27 September 1992). "Reacción del Valencia en El Sadar" [Valencia react at El Sadar]. Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). Retrieved 19 June 2016.
  4. Valle, José María (2 November 1992). "Osasuna, con el autobús" [Osasuna, parking the bus]. Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). Retrieved 19 June 2016.
  5. Oliva, Héctor (9 November 1992). "Spasic marca su primer gol con el Osasuna" [Spasic scores his first goal with Osasuna]. Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). Retrieved 19 June 2016.
  6. Goñi, Mikel (5 April 1993). "Osasuna y Cádiz atacan al fútbol" [Osasuna and Cádiz attack football]. Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). Retrieved 19 June 2016.
  7. Goñi, Mikel (19 April 1993). "Entre bostezos, grito del Osasuna" [Between yawns, Osasuna cry]. Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). Retrieved 19 June 2016.
  8. Sáez, Félix (16 May 1994). "El Sadar se despide con fiesta" [Party at El Sadar to say goodbye]. Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). Retrieved 19 June 2016.
  9. "Buen estreno de Merino" [Good debut for Merino] (in Spanish). Navarra Sport. 23 March 2008. Retrieved 19 June 2016.
  10. "Miguel Merino, nuevo entrenador de la Peña Sport" [Miguel Merino, new manager of Peña Sport] (in Spanish). Navarra Sport. 8 October 2013. Retrieved 19 June 2016.
  11. Velasco, Gonzalo (26 September 2014). "Merino, la nueva joya de Tajonar" [Merino, Tajonar's new gem]. Marca (in Spanish). Retrieved 18 June 2016.
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