Paquito Escudero

Francisco Gabriel Escudero Martínez (born 24 March 1966), commonly known as Paquito, is a Spanish retired football midfielder and manager.

Not to be confused with Paquito García.
In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Escudero and the second or maternal family name is Martínez.
Paquito
Personal information
Full name Francisco Gabriel Escudero Martínez
Date of birth (1966-03-24) 24 March 1966
Place of birth Rafal, Spain
Height 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Position(s) Midfielder
Youth career
1974–1985 Betis Florida
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1985–1988 Alicante
1988–1990 Benidorm 36 (8)
1990–2001 Hércules 306 (24)
Total 342 (32)
Teams managed
2003–2007 Hércules (assistant)
2007 Hércules
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

The vast majority of his professional career was associated with Hércules, as he served the club as a player, coach and director of football.

Playing career

Born in Rafal, Alicante, Valencian Community, Paquito started playing football in the neighborhood of La Florida.[1] He made his senior debut with Alicante CF in Tercera División, going on to play two seasons with Benidorm CF[2] and helping the team promote (also finishing the regular season as champions) to Segunda División B for the second time in their history.

In 1990, Paquito remained in his native region and signed with Hércules CF, helping to promotion to Segunda División in his third year. In his 11-year spell he appeared in 342 official games, contributing with 34 matches (one goal) as the club returned to La Liga after a ten-year absence and being again an undisputed starter the following campaign, which ended in immediate relegation; his top-flight debut occurred on 1 September 1996, in a 2–1 home win against CF Extremadura.[3]

Coaching career

Paquito suffered a serious injury during 1999–00, with Hércules in the third division, officially retiring from football in May 2001 at age 35. He remained with the club working in directorial capacities and, in 2003, began working as an assistant coach, a position he held under managers José Carlos Granero, Juan Carlos Mandiá, José Bordalás and Josu Uribe.[4]

On 15 May 2007, following Uribe's dismissal, Paquito was named head coach until the end of the second division season,[5] eventually avoiding relegation with two wins, one draw and two losses in his five games in charge. He was named director of football in the following campaign, remaining in charge for several years.[6]

Honours

Player

Hércules

Benidorm

References
  1. Betis Florida, historia viva del fútbol alicantino (Betis Florida, living history of Alicante football); Las Provincias, 30 November 2006 (in Spanish)
  2. Paquito avala a Mandiá (Paquito praises Mandiá); Diario Información, 22 May 2008 (in Spanish)
  3. Retorno con buen pie (Returning on the good foot); Mundo Deportivo, 2 September 1996 (in Spanish)
  4. El fiel Escudero asume el mando (The faithful Squire (pun on his surname, "Escudero" in English) takes over); La Verdad, 16 May 2007 (in Spanish)
  5. El Hércules prescinde de Uribe y apuesta por Paquito para evitar el descenso (Hércules dismiss Uribe and bet on Paquito to avoid relegation); Las Provincias, 15 May 2007 (in Spanish)
  6. El Hércules pretende reforzar todas las líneas del equipo (Hércules want to strengthen every sector in squad); Marca, 13 July 2010 (in Spanish)
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