Periko Alonso Explained

Periko Alonso
Full Name:Miguel Ángel Alonso Oyarbide[1]
Birth Date:1 February 1953
Birth Place:Tolosa, Spain
Height:1.76 m
Position:Midfielder
Youthclubs1:Tolosa
Years1:1974–1977
Caps1:86
Goals1:40
Years2:1977–1982
Caps2:152
Goals2:25
Years3:1982–1985
Caps3:54
Goals3:5
Years4:1985–1988
Caps4:103
Goals4:17
Totalcaps:395
Totalgoals:87
Nationalyears1:1981
Nationalcaps1:2
Nationalgoals1:1
Nationalyears2:1980–1982
Nationalcaps2:20
Nationalgoals2:1
Nationalyears3:1979
Nationalcaps3:1
Nationalgoals3:0
Manageryears1:1988–1989
Managerclubs1:Tolosa
Manageryears2:1989–1992
Managerclubs2:San Sebastián
Manageryears3:1993–1995
Managerclubs3:Beasain
Manageryears4:1995–1998
Managerclubs4:Eibar
Manageryears5:1998–1999
Managerclubs5:Hércules
Manageryears6:2000
Managerclubs6:Real Sociedad

Miguel Ángel 'Periko' Alonso Oyarbide (born 1 February 1953) is a Spanish former football midfielder, and manager.

He played mainly for Real Sociedad (five years) and Barcelona (three) in his professional career, achieving La Liga totals of 273 matches and 42 goals in ten seasons.[2]

A Spanish international for two years, Alonso represented the country at the 1982 World Cup.

Playing career

Born in Tolosa, Gipuzkoa, Alonso played professionally for Real Sociedad, Barcelona and Sabadell. With the first, he was instrumental in back-to-back La Liga conquests (averaging 32 games and five goals in those seasons and not starting only once), and won 19 of his 20 caps for Spain in the process; his debut came on 24 September 1980 in a friendly with Hungary (2–2), in Budapest.[3]

In 1982–83, having retired from the national team following the unsuccessful home World Cup campaign, Alonso joined Barcelona,[4] being used relatively little during most of his spell. He won the league in his final year, but only appeared twice, eventually retiring in 1988 with Barça neighbours Sabadell. He helped the club achieve promotion from Segunda División in his first season, and scored 12 goals – a career-best – in his second. The modest Catalans ranked 17th after the first 34 matches, but eventually managed to avoid a drop after finishing third in their relegation group in the second stage.[5]

International goals

! # !! Date !! Venue !! Opponent !! Score !! Result !! Competition
1. 18 November 1981 2–3 2–3 Friendly[6]

Coaching career

Alonso started working as a manager immediately after retiring, mainly in the Basque Country. In 2000, after an unsuccessful spell at Hércules (second division, relegation),[7] he had a chance to coach Real Sociedad but only lasted ten games, retiring from the sport subsequently.[8] [9]

Personal life

Alonso's sons, Mikel and Xabi, were also footballers and midfielders. Both followed in their father's footsteps representing Real Sociedad, and the latter also played with great success for Liverpool, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and the Spain national team.[10] [11]

Honours

Real Sociedad

1980–81, 1981–82[9]

Barcelona

1982–83[9]

1983[9]

1983[12]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Miguel Ángel Alonso Oyarbide. Real Sociedad. 14 April 2020.
  2. News: Leyendas de la Real Sociedad – Periko Alonso. Real Sociedad legends – Periko Alonso. El Diario Vasco. es. 25 April 2017.
  3. News: 2–2: Empate justo en partido versallesco. 2–2: Fair draw in versaillescque match. Mundo Deportivo. J. J.. Castillo. es. 25 September 1980. 29 January 2018.
  4. News: A 'Perico' Alonso le llegó un poco tarde la fama. Fame came to 'Perico' Alonso a little late. El País. Ignacio. Alonso. es. 25 May 1982. 29 January 2018.
  5. Web site: Periko Alonso, el éxito tardío. Periko Alonso, a late success. Vavel. Giovanni. Batista Rodríguez. es. 26 January 2016. 9 August 2019.
  6. News: 2–3: España remontó a Polonia en un final alucinante. 2–3: Spain came back from behind against Poland in mind-blowing finale. Mundo Deportivo. Gzregorz. Stanski. es. 19 November 1981. 30 May 2016.
  7. News: Hércules desciende a Segunda B por tercera vez en su historia. Hércules relegated to Segunda B for the third time in their history. Mundo Deportivo. es. 31 May 2014. 22 May 2024.
  8. News: Periko Alonso abandona la Real Sociedad y el oficio de entrenador. Periko Alonso quits Real Sociedad and coaching. El País. Eduardo. Ortiz de Arri. es. 23 December 2000. 9 August 2019.
  9. Web site: Que fue del... Periko Alonso. What happened to... Periko Alonso. Cadena SER. Virginia. Griñán. es. 20 August 2009. 22 May 2024.
  10. News: El pasado azulgrana de Alonso. Alonso's azulgrana past. Público. Alfredo. Varona. es. 2 September 2009. 30 July 2012.
  11. News: Mikel versus Xabi en Tenerife. Mikel versus Xabi in Tenerife. El Diario Vasco. Jon. Astrain. es. 27 February 2010. 30 July 2012.
  12. Web site: Spain – List of League Cup Finals 1983–1986. RSSSF. Raúl. Torre. 22 May 2024.