Antonio Puche Explained

Puche II
Fullname:Antonio Puche Vicente
Birth Date:2 August 1972
Birth Place:Yecla, Spain
Height:1.750NaN0
Position:Forward
Youthyears1:1981–1987
Youthclubs1:Yeclano
Youthyears2:1987–1988
Youthclubs2:Elche
Years1:1988–1990
Years2:1988–1992
Caps2:35
Goals2:5
Years3:1992–1993
Caps3:17
Goals3:5
Years4:1993–1995
Caps4:61
Goals4:27
Years5:1995–1996
Caps5:18
Goals5:3
Years6:1996–1997
Caps6:15
Goals6:1
Years7:1997–1998
Caps7:31
Goals7:5
Years8:1998–1999
Caps8:22
Goals8:7
Years9:1999
Caps9:4
Goals9:2
Years10:1999–2000
Caps10:14
Goals10:2
Years11:2000–2001
Caps11:16
Goals11:0
Years12:2002–2003
Clubs12:Frutas de Abarán
Years13:2003–2004
Totalcaps:233
Totalgoals:57
Nationalyears1:1988–1989
Nationalcaps1:12
Nationalgoals1:6
Nationalyears2:1990
Nationalcaps2:1
Nationalgoals2:0
Manageryears1:2004–2005
Managerclubs1:Córdoba (youth)
Manageryears2:2007–2008
Managerclubs2:Xerez B
Manageryears3:2008–2009
Managerclubs3:Hércules (assistant)
Manageryears4:2009
Managerclubs4:Racing Santander (assistant)
Manageryears5:2010–2011
Managerclubs5:Tenerife (assistant)
Manageryears6:2011–2012
Managerclubs6:Hércules (assistant)
Manageryears7:2013
Managerclubs7:Al-Yarmouk (assistant)
Manageryears8:2014–2015
Managerclubs8:Al Qadsia
Manageryears9:2016
Managerclubs9:Anorthosis
Manageryears10:2017
Managerclubs10:Saint-Étienne (assistant)
Manageryears11:2018–2019
Managerclubs11:Olympiacos (assistant)
Manageryears12:2022–2023
Managerclubs12:China U20
Manageryears13:2023
Managerclubs13:Oriente Petrolero
Manageryears14:2024–
Managerclubs14:China U23

Antonio Puche Vicente (born 2 August 1972), sometimes known as Puche II, is a Spanish former footballer who played as a forward, and a current manager.

Club career

Born in Yecla, Region of Murcia, Puche began his senior career with Elche CF, being almost exclusively associated with the reserves during his spell. He made his first-team debut at only 16, playing eight minutes in a 1–1 La Liga away draw against CA Osasuna; legendary László Kubala handed him his first opportunity with the professionals.[1]

In the summer of 1993, after a spell with Valencia CF's reserves, Puche joined Palamós CF of Segunda División. He had a breakthrough year in his second season, scoring 21 goals to lead all players but being relegated due to the Catalan club's financial problems; on 9 April 1995, he netted six past CD Leganés – also eventually relegated – in a 7–1 home rout.[2]

Puche continued competing in the second level in the following campaigns, with Villarreal CF, CD Toledo and Real Jaén. He retired in June 2004 at nearly 32 years of age, after several years in the lower leagues.[1]

From 2005 to 2007, Puche worked as director of football at Cádiz CF. The following year he had his first senior experience in head coaching, with Tercera División's Xerez CD B, as well as also sharing directorial duties in the first team with former club player Antonio Poyatos.

In 2008–09, Puche was appointed assistant coach of Juan Carlos Mandiá at second-tier side Hércules CF. In the following years, the pair continued to work together.[3]

Puche signed with Kuwaiti Premier League's Qadsia SC in 2014. He was dismissed on 23 March of the following year,[4] as the team went on to finish in fourth place.

International career

Puche posted good scoring numbers with the Spain under-16 team. In an international tournament held in Genoa, he was named as best player.[5]

Puche also played at under-20 level, being selected for the squad that appeared at the 1989 FIFA World Youth Championship held in Saudi Arabia.

Personal life

Puche's older, brother, José (1968), was also a footballer. A midfielder, he coincided with his sibling at Elche and Palamós, and the pair was known as Puche I and Puche II.[1]

Honours

Individual

Manager

Al Qadsia

2014

2014

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Antonio Puche Vicente, PUCHE II. Franjiverdes. Spanish. 7 May 2009. 19 April 2013.
  2. News: Domingo a tope. Full-blown Sunday. Mundo Deportivo. Spanish. 10 April 1995. 19 April 2013.
  3. News: Español, joven, con hambre y proyección: Mandiá. Spanish, young, hungry and with future: Mandiá. El Diario Montañés. Francisco. Fernández-Cueto. Spanish. 26 June 2009. 22 February 2012. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20100103072651/http://racing.eldiariomontanes.es/noticias/2009-06-26/espanol-joven-hambre-proyeccion-20090626.html. 3 January 2010.
  4. Web site: Qadsia part company with Puche. Asian Football Confederation. 23 March 2015. 31 March 2015.
  5. News: España campeona del torneo Ciudad de Colombo de Sub-16. Spain champions of Under-16 Ciudad de Colombo tournament. ABC. Spanish. 10 November 1988. 22 February 2012.