Antonio Rivas (Spanish footballer) explained

Antonio Rivas
Fullname:Antonio Rivas Martínez
Birth Date:13 September 1965
Birth Place:Alcázar de San Juan, Spain
Position:Centre-back
Currentclub:Oviedo (youth director)
Youthclubs1:Gimnástico Alcázar
Years1:1984–1988
Caps1:73
Goals1:9
Years2:1984–1988
Caps2:4
Goals2:1
Years3:1988–1989
Caps3:25
Goals3:4
Years4:1989–1998
Caps4:239
Goals4:15
Years5:1999–2000
Caps5:46
Goals5:1
Years6:2000–2001
Caps6:19
Goals6:0
Totalcaps:406
Totalgoals:30
Manageryears1:2003–2006
Managerclubs1:Oviedo
Manageryears2:2007–2009
Managerclubs2:Atlético Madrid (youth)
Manageryears3:2009–2011
Managerclubs3:Atlético Madrid B
Manageryears4:2011
Managerclubs4:Fuenlabrada
Manageryears5:2013–2014
Managerclubs5:Alcorcón B
Manageryears6:2017–2021
Managerclubs6:Atlético Madrid (youth)
Manageryears7:2021
Managerclubs7:Atlético Madrid B

Antonio Rivas Martínez (born 13 September 1965) is a Spanish retired footballer who played as a central defender, and a manager. He is the current youth football director of Real Oviedo.

Playing career

Rivas was born in Alcázar de San Juan, Province of Ciudad Real. After an unsuccessful four-year stint with Atlético Madrid, only appearing in four games with the first team, he signed for RCD Mallorca in summer 1988, being regularly used in his only season as the Balearic Islands club returned to La Liga after one year out.[1]

Subsequently, Rivas joined Real Oviedo, going on to play nine consecutive campaigns in the top flight and rarely missing a match when healthy, while being deployed in several defensive positions.[1] In 1990–91, he contributed 36 appearances to help the Asturias side qualify for the UEFA Cup.[2] In 1994–95, he scored a career-high five goals for another comfortable midtable finish (ninth).[3]

After 274 competitive games with Oviedo, the 33-year-old Rivas left the club in the 1999 January transfer window, representing Albacete Balompié over one and a half Segunda División seasons. He closed out his career in the Segunda División B, after one year with Benidorm CF.

Coaching career

Rivas started coaching in 2002–03, being one of four managers as Oviedo were relegated to the third division – eventually to Tercera División due to irregularities.[4] Two years later, he led them to promotion to that level.[5]

In 2007, Rivas returned to his first professional team Atlético Madrid to take charge of the youth system.[6] After two years, he was appointed at their reserves in division three, leading them to the seventh position in his debut campaign.[7] He continued to work in lower-league and amateur football the following seasons, with CF Fuenlabrada[6] and AD Alcorcón B.[8]

Rivas rejoined Atlético's youths in 2017, winning the national championship of that category in his fourth season.[9] He was appointed again at the B team on 6 April 2021,[10] not being able to avoid relegation from the third tier.[11]

On 22 June 2021, Rivas was named academy director at Oviedo.[12]

Personal life

Rivas is the father of the twins Mario and Óscar, both footballers. The former is a forward and the latter is also a central defender.[13]

Notes and References

  1. News: "El jugador que más me ha impresionado ha sido Ronaldo". "Ronaldo is the player that has impressed me the most". La Tribuna de Ciudad Real. Antonio. Criado. es. 22 March 2014. 5 November 2021.
  2. Web site: En 1991 el Real Oviedo finalizaba en sexta posición. In 1991 Real Oviedo finished in sixth place. Real Oviedo. es. 9 June 2020. 5 November 2021.
  3. Web site: Spain 1994/95. RSSSF. 10 November 2021.
  4. News: El exjugador y exentrenador del Real Oviedo Antonio Rivas dirigirá al Atlético de Madrid B. Former Real Oviedo player and manager Antonio Rivas will coach Atlético Madrid B. La Nueva España. es. 7 April 2021. 5 November 2021.
  5. News: Antonio Rivas: "Voy a estar como en casa". Antonio Rivas: "This will feel like being home". Mundo Deportivo. Walter. Zimmermann. es. 29 January 2010. 5 November 2021.
  6. News: Antonio Rivas entrenará al Juvenil A del Atlético de Madrid. Antonio Rivas will manage Atlético Madrid's Juvenil A. La Voz de Tomelloso. es. 9 August 2020. 5 November 2021.
  7. News: El club quiere que Antonio Rivas siga en el filial rojiblanco. Club wants Antonio Rivas to continue with red-and-white reserves. Diario AS. es. 1 June 2010. 5 November 2021.
  8. Web site: Antonio Rivas renovó como entrenador del filial alcorconero. Antonio Rivas renewed as manager of Alcorcón reserves. Futmadrid. es. 30 June 2013. 5 November 2021.
  9. Web site: Antonio Rivas, Atlético juvenil: "Fuimos campeones por un gol, nunca decaímos". Antonio Rivas, Atlético juvenil: "We were champions by one goal, we never let down". Telemadrid. es. 8 June 2021. 5 November 2021.
  10. News: Antonio Rivas será el entrenador del Atlético B... una década después. Antonio Rivas will be the manager of Atlético B... one decade later. Marca. es. 6 April 2021. 5 November 2021.
  11. News: El descenso del filial empuja fuera a las promesas del Atlético. The reserves' relegation chases Atlético prospects away. Mundo Deportivo. Chema. G. Fuente. es. 2 June 2021. 5 November 2021.
  12. Web site: Antonio Rivas named the new head of academy. Real Oviedo. 22 June 2021. 8 September 2021.
  13. Web site: Los gemelos Rivas se miden en el CD Móstoles URJC – Leganés B. The Rivas twins face each other in CD Móstoles URJC – Leganés B. Telemadrid. es. 26 February 2021. 31 October 2021.