Manolo Villanova Explained

Manolo Villanova
Fullname:Manuel José Villanova Rebollar
Birth Date:27 August 1942
Birth Place:Zaragoza, Spain
Position:Goalkeeper
Years1:1966–1967
Caps1:14
Goals1:0
Years2:1967–1971
Caps2:81
Goals2:0
Years3:1971–1975
Caps3:51
Goals3:0
Totalcaps:156
Totalgoals:0
Manageryears1:1975–1978
Managerclubs1:Deportivo Aragón
Manageryears2:1979–1981
Managerclubs2:Zaragoza
Manageryears3:1982–1984
Managerclubs3:Salamanca
Manageryears4:1984–1985
Managerclubs4:Mallorca
Manageryears5:1985–1986
Managerclubs5:Hércules
Manageryears6:1987–1988
Managerclubs6:Zaragoza
Manageryears7:1991–1992
Managerclubs7:Huesca
Manageryears8:1992–1996
Managerclubs8:Recreativo
Manageryears9:1996–2003
Managerclubs9:Zaragoza B
Manageryears10:2006–2008
Managerclubs10:Huesca
Manageryears11:2008
Managerclubs11:Zaragoza
Manageryears12:2008–2009
Managerclubs12:Zaragoza B
Manageryears13:2013–2014
Managerclubs13:Sariñena

Manuel José "Manolo" Villanova Rebollar (born 27 August 1942) is a Spanish football manager and former player who played as a goalkeeper.

Playing career

Born in Zaragoza, Aragon, Villanova's first professional club was Segunda División's RCD Mallorca, whom he joined in 1966. After a full season at the club he moved to La Liga with Real Betis, suffering relegation during his first campaign.

Villanova continued to appear with the Andalusians in the following years, all in the second level. In 1972, he returned to the top tier, after agreeing to a deal with Real Zaragoza.

A backup to Manolo Nieves, Villanova appeared sparingly for his hometown club, and retired in 1975 at the age of 32.

Managerial career

Immediately after retiring Villanova took up coaching, being appointed at Zaragoza's reserve team, Deportivo Aragón. In May 1979 he was appointed at the helm of the main squad, replacing Vujadin Boškov.

Villanova was sacked in March 1981, after winning only one match out of ten. In June he was named UD Salamanca manager, and took the club back to the top level at first attempt.[1]

Villanova was in charge of the Charros until 1984, and left the club after suffering relegation as dead last. In 1984, he was appointed manager of RCD Mallorca in the second division,[2] finishing the campaign in the seventh position.

In October 1985 Villanova returned to the main category, being appointed Hércules CF manager and replacing sacked Antoni Torres.[3] He was unable prevent relegation nonetheless, and subsequently left the club.

In December 1987 Villanova returned to Zaragoza,[4] taking the club to an impressive fifth position before resigning.[5] He only returned to coaching duties in 1991, while in charge of SD Huesca.

In 1996, after four full seasons at Recreativo de Huelva,[6] Villanova rejoined Zaragoza and its reserve team. In charge until 2003, he only left his post to join the club's board.

In July 2006 Villanova returned to Huesca.[7] On 3 March 2008, he returned to Zaragoza for a third spell, with his side seriously threatened with relegation.[8]

After failing to avoid the drop with the main squad, Villanova was appointed manager of the reserves for a third time. He was relieved from his duties in June 2009, ending a 12-year relationship with the club.[9]

On 14 October 2013, Villanova was named manager of CD Sariñena, in Segunda División B.[10] After suffering relegation, he left the club.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Villanova, un año más en el Salamanca. Villanova, another further year at Salamanca. Fermor. Mundo Deportivo. es. 28 May 1982. 8. 15 March 2016.
  2. Web site: Villanova, presentado en Palma. Villanova, presented in Palma. Montse. Jolis. Mundo Deportivo. es. 16 May 1984. 15 March 2016. 10.
  3. Web site: Relevo en el Hércules: Villanova, nuevo entrenador. Replacement at Hércules: Villanova, new manager. EFE. Mundo Deportivo. es. 24 October 1985. 15 March 2016. 30.
  4. Web site: Presentación del nuevo entrenador. Presentation of the new manager. Mariano. Andrés. Mundo Deportivo. es. 6 December 1987. 15 March 2016. 16.
  5. Web site: Villanova: En la hora del adiós. Villanova: At the time of the farewell. Mariano. Andrés. Mundo Deportivo. es. 22 May 1988. 15 March 2016. 31.
  6. Web site: Manolo Villanova, nuevo entrenador del Recreativo. Manolo Villanova, new manager of Recreativo. Mundo Deportivo. es. 19 July 1992. 15 March 2016. 41.
  7. Web site: Borraz, nuevo presidente y Villanova entrenador. Borraz, new president and Villanova manager. Jaime. Ferrer. Mundo Deportivo. es. 3 July 2006. 15 March 2016. 33.
  8. Web site: Manolo Villanova, nuevo entrenador del Zaragoza. Manolo Villanova, new Zaragoza manager. Marca. es. 3 March 2008. 15 March 2016.
  9. Web site: El club despide a Manolo Villanova después de doce años seguidos de relación laboral. The club sack Manolo Villanova after twele years of professional relationship. El Periódico de Aragón. es. 17 June 2009. 15 March 2016.
  10. Web site: Manolo Villanova ficha por el Sariñena. Manolo Villanova signs for Sariñena. El Periódico de Aragón. es. 14 October 2013. 15 March 2016.