Víctor Fernández Explained

Víctor Fernández
Fullname:Víctor Fernández Braulio
Birth Date:28 November 1960
Birth Place:Zaragoza, Spain
Position:Midfielder
Currentclub:Zaragoza (manager)
Youthclubs1:Stadium Casablanca
Manageryears1:1982–1988
Managerclubs1:Stadium Casablanca (youth)
Manageryears2:1988–1990
Managerclubs2:Zaragoza (assistant)
Manageryears3:1990–1991
Managerclubs3:Zaragoza B
Manageryears4:1991–1996
Managerclubs4:Zaragoza
Manageryears5:1997
Managerclubs5:Tenerife
Manageryears6:1998–2002
Managerclubs6:Celta
Manageryears7:2002–2004
Managerclubs7:Betis
Manageryears8:2004–2005
Managerclubs8:Porto
Manageryears9:2006–2008
Managerclubs9:Zaragoza
Manageryears10:2010
Managerclubs10:Betis
Manageryears11:2013
Managerclubs11:Gent
Manageryears12:2014–2015
Managerclubs12:Deportivo La Coruña
Manageryears13:2018–2020
Managerclubs13:Zaragoza
Manageryears14:2024–
Managerclubs14:Zaragoza

Víctor Fernández Braulio (born 28 November 1960) is a Spanish football manager, currently in charge of Real Zaragoza.

He had four spells with his hometown team Zaragoza, winning the Copa del Rey in 1994 and the Cup Winners' Cup a year later. He also led Tenerife, Celta, Real Betis and Deportivo de La Coruña in La Liga, and won the Intercontinental Cup in a brief spell at Porto in 2004.

Football career

Zaragoza

Fernández was born in Zaragoza, Aragon. Late into the 1990–91 season, aged only 30, he was promoted to hometown Real Zaragoza's first team,[1] eventually leading it to the 17th league position and avoiding La Liga relegation in the playoffs against Real Murcia CF; at the time of his beginnings, he was the second youngest manager to ever coach in the league after Xabier Azkargorta.[2]

In the following years, Fernández helped Zaragoza consolidate in the top division, notably reconverting Gus Poyet from forward to attacking midfielder and winning the Copa del Rey in 1994[3] and the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup the next season.[4] He was relieved of his duties on 8 November 1996,[5] meeting the same fate the following year with his next club, CD Tenerife.[6]

Celta

In May 1998, Fernández was appointed to replace Javier Irureta at RC Celta de Vigo,[7] Profiting from the recent Bosman ruling, his team fielded many European Union players such as Claude Makélélé, as well as those from further afield such as the Israeli Haim Revivo and Russian midfield duo Valeri Karpin and Aleksandr Mostovoi;[8] the Galician team played highly attractive football and were known as EuroCelta for their performances in continental competitions.[9]

Fernández led Celta in the UEFA Cup in each of his four seasons, reaching the quarter-finals on all but one occasion; highlights included a 3–1 win over Liverpool in November 1998,[10] a 7–0 rout of S.L. Benfica a year later[11] and a 4–0 victory at Juventus FC in March 2000.[12] His team won the UEFA Intertoto Cup in the summer of 2000, with a 4–3 aggregate defeat of FC Zenit Saint Petersburg.[13] Domestically, he surprisingly lost the 2001 Copa del Rey final 3–1 to Zaragoza, who had barely avoided relegation.[14]

Betis

Fernández was appointed at fellow top flight team Real Betis in May 2002, after the exit of Juande Ramos.[15] He finished eighth and ninth respectively in his two years, and his team were eliminated from the third round of the UEFA Cup by AJ Auxerre in his first campaign.[16]

Porto

In August 2004, Fernández moved abroad and joined Portuguese club FC Porto; the UEFA Champions League holders had dismissed Luigi Delneri before a single competitive game.[17] He won on his debut on 20 August in the Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira, with new signing Ricardo Quaresma scoring the only goal of a win against rivals Benfica;[18] on 12 December he added the conquest of the last ever Intercontinental Cup with a penalty shootout victory over Colombia's Once Caldas.[19]

Domestically, Fernández's team gave up their Primeira Liga lead to Benfica on 20 November 2004 when they lost 1–0 at home to neighbours Boavista FC.[20] Home form was a struggle with three wins from the first seven fixtures, including another single-goal defeat to S.C. Beira-Mar two weeks later.[21] He was abruptly dismissed the following January following a 1–3 defeat to S.C. Braga, again at the Estádio do Dragão.[22]

Returns to Zaragoza and Betis

Fernández returned to his beloved Zaragoza for the 2006–07 campaign,[23] qualifying the side for the UEFA Cup in his first year but being sacked midway through his second,[24] as the season eventually ended in relegation.

In another return, Fernández joined Betis in late January 2010, replacing fired Antonio Tapia.[25] [26] During his spell the Verdiblancos were the team in the league with the most points, but they missed out on promotion from Segunda División after being beaten to promotion places through head-to-head against Hércules CF and Levante UD, despite beating the latter 4–0 on the final day.[27]

Later years

On 9 January 2013, Fernández moved for his second experience abroad, signing a contract with Belgium's K.A.A. Gent.[28] He was sacked on 30 September 2013, due to poor results.[29]

Fernández was appointed as the new manager of Deportivo de La Coruña on 10 July 2014, succeeding Fernando Vázquez.[30] He was relieved of his duties on 9 April of the following year, with the team eventually narrowly escaping relegation.[31]

In the summer of 2015, Fernández signed for Real Madrid as youth system coordinator.[32] He left the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in 2017,[33] and on 17 December 2018 he returned to Zaragoza for a third stint as manager replacing the dismissed Lucas Alcaraz.[34] [35]

Fernández resigned on 18 August 2020, after losing the play-off semi-finals to Elche CF.[36] On 11 March 2024, after nearly four years without a club, he returned to Zaragoza for his fourth spell.[37]

Managerial statistics

Managerial record by team and tenure
TeamNatFromToRecord
Zaragoza B1 July 19904 March 1991 [38]
Zaragoza4 March 19918 November 1996 [39]
Tenerife1 July 199710 November 1997 [40]
Celta30 May 199818 May 2002 [41]
Betis18 May 200230 June 2004 [42]
Porto11 August 2004 31 January 2005
Zaragoza6 June 200614 January 2008 [43]
Betis26 January 201012 July 2010 [44]
Gent9 January 201330 September 2013
Deportivo La Coruña10 July 20149 April 2015 [45]
Zaragoza17 December 201818 August 2020[46]
Zaragoza11 March 2024Present[47]
Total —

Honours

Zaragoza

1993–94[3]

1994–95[48]

Celta

2000[13]

Porto

2004[18]

2004[19]

Notes and References

  1. News: Fernández empezó a trabajar. Fernández started working. Mundo Deportivo. Mariano. Andrés. es. 6 March 1991. 14 February 2013.
  2. News: 'Los Nagelsmann' españoles: "El vestuario te devora si ve que eres débil". The Spanish 'Nagelsmanns': "The dressing room eats you up if they spot any weakness". Marca. José Luis. Hurtado. es. 7 May 2021. 9 April 2024.
  3. News: 22 años de esta gozada. 22th anniversary of this blast. Heraldo de Aragón. Paco. Giménez. es. 20 April 2016. 9 April 2024.
  4. Web site: 1994/95: Nayim's bolt from the blue sinks Arsenal. UEFA. 1 June 1995. 14 February 2013. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20100822203449/http://en.archive.uefa.com/competitions/ecwc/news/kind%3D4/newsid%3D3429.html. 22 August 2010.
  5. News: Víctor y Brzic, cesados. Víctor and Brzic, sacked. Mundo Deportivo. Mariano. Andrés. P.. López. es. 8 November 1996. 14 February 2013.
  6. News: El Celta acaba con Víctor. Celta finish Víctor. Mundo Deportivo. Álvaro. Castañeda. es. 10 November 1997. 14 February 2013.
  7. News: Víctor: "El proyecto celeste es apasionante". Víctor: "The sky blue project is enticing". Mundo Deportivo. Antonio. Mínguez. es. 30 May 1998. 14 February 2013.
  8. Web site: Los 104 de la Ley Bosman. The 104 of the Bosman Law. El Desmarque. Marci. Varela. es. 15 December 2015. 29 January 2022.
  9. News: "Quiero un fútbol que me emocione". "I want a football that excites me". El País. Madrid. Juan Luis. Cudeiro. es. 21 August 2014. 19 June 2018.
  10. Web site: Liverpool suffer Spanish inquisition. BBC Sport. 24 November 1998. 29 January 2022.
  11. News: Celta 7–0 Benfica foi há 20 anos. Da volta triunfal à goleada sem volta. Celta 7–0 Benfica was 20 years ago. From triumphant return to thrashing with no return. Diário de Notícias. António Pedro. Pereira. pt. 25 November 2019. 29 January 2022.
  12. News: El Celta destroza a 'la Juve'. Celta destroy 'Juve'. El País. Madrid. Pablo. Campos. es. 10 March 2000. 19 June 2018.
  13. Web site: La Intertoto celeste cumple 20 años. 20th anniversary of the sky-blue Intertoto. El Desmarque. Alberto. Bravo. es. 22 August 2020. 29 January 2022.
  14. Web site: Se cumplen 15 años de la debacle en el 'Olímpico de Sevilla'. 15 years since the debacle in the 'Olímpico de Sevilla'. El Desmarque. Alberto. Bravo. es. 30 June 2016. 29 January 2022.
  15. News: Lopera confirma a Víctor Fernández como nuevo técnico. Lopera confirms Víctor Fernández as new coach. Mundo Deportivo. M. J.. García. es. 18 May 2002. 14 February 2013.
  16. News: El Betis se funde en Auxerre y dice adiós a la Copa de la Uefa. Betis melt in Auxerre and say goodbye to the UEFA Cup. La Voz de Galicia. es. 12 December 2002. 29 January 2022.
  17. News: El mejor equipo de mi carrera. Best team of my career. El País. Madrid. es. 12 August 2004. 15 February 2013.
  18. News: FC Porto-Benfica, 1–0 (Ricardo Quaresma 56'). Record. pt. 20 August 2004. 29 January 2022.
  19. Web site: Toyota Cup 2004. FIFA. 15 February 2013. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20071015123325/http://fifa.com/classicfootball/clubs/matchreport/newsid=514942.html. 15 October 2007.
  20. Web site: Boavista break Porto's home run. UEFA. Diogo. Teixeira. 21 November 2004. 29 January 2022.
  21. News: Esbanjamento caseiro após época imaculada. Squandering at home after immaculate season. Record. pt. 4 December 2004. 29 January 2022.
  22. News: Victor Fernandez vai sair do FC Porto. Victor Fernandez will leave FC Porto. Jornal de Negócios. pt. 31 January 2005. 19 July 2017.
  23. News: Un emocionado Víctor Fernández regresa al equipo tras diez años. Teary Víctor Fernández returns to team after ten years. Diario de León. es. 30 May 1998. 15 February 2013.
  24. News: Víctor, destituido. Víctor, dismissed. Mundo Deportivo. Mariano. Andrés. es. 14 January 2008. 15 February 2013.
  25. News: Víctor Fernández, nuevo entrenador del Betis. Víctor Fernández, new Betis manager. El País. Madrid. es. 26 January 2010. 15 February 2013.
  26. Web site: Official: Victor Fernandez appointed new Real Betis coach. Goal. Rupert. Fryer. 27 January 2010. 7 July 2010.
  27. News: El Hércules vuelve a Primera, el Betis llora. Hércules return to Primera, Betis cry. Hoy. es. 20 June 2010. 29 January 2022.
  28. Web site: Victor Fernandez is de nieuwe coach van Gent. Víctor Fernández is the new Gent manager. Sporza. nl. 9 January 2013. 9 January 2013.
  29. Web site: AA Gent neemt afscheid van coach Fernandez. AA Gent say goodbye to coach Fernandez. Sporza. nl. 30 September 2013. 31 August 2014.
  30. Web site: Deportivo name Fernandez as coach. ESPN FC. 10 July 2014. 31 August 2014.
  31. News: Deportivo sack Victor Fernández. Marca. 9 April 2015. 6 June 2015.
  32. News: Víctor Fernández recoge una cantera blanca fracasada. Víctor Fernández takes the helm of washed out white youth system. Diario AS. Carlos. Forjanes. es. 4 July 2015. 7 July 2015.
  33. News: Official announcement. Real Madrid CF. 10 June 2017. 10 June 2017.
  34. News: Lucas Alcaraz es destituido y Víctor Fernández llegará como 'salvador'. Lucas Alcaraz is dismissed and Víctor Fernández will arrive as 'saviour'. Marca. Christian. Ortiz. es. 17 December 2018. 17 December 2018.
  35. Web site: Principio de acuerdo para la incorporación de Víctor Fernández como nuevo entrenador. Agreement in principle for the signing of Víctor Fernández as the new coach. Real Zaragoza. es. 17 December 2018. 18 December 2018.
  36. Web site: Víctor Fernández: "Mi etapa en el Real Zaragoza ha finalizado". Víctor Fernández: "My spell at Real Zaragoza has ended". Real Zaragoza. es. 18 August 2020. 19 August 2020.
  37. Web site: Víctor Fernández vuelve a su casa. Víctor Fernández returns to his home. Real Zaragoza. es. 11 March 2024. 12 March 2024.
  38. Web site: Víctor Fernández: Víctor Fernández Braulio. BDFutbol. 18 December 2018.
  39. Web site: Víctor Fernández: Víctor Fernández Braulio. BDFutbol. 3 September 2019.
    Web site: Víctor Fernández: Víctor Fernández Braulio. BDFutbol. 3 September 2019.
    Web site: Víctor Fernández: Víctor Fernández Braulio. BDFutbol. 3 September 2019.
    Web site: Víctor Fernández: Víctor Fernández Braulio. BDFutbol. 3 September 2019.
    Web site: Víctor Fernández: Víctor Fernández Braulio. BDFutbol. 3 September 2019.
    Web site: Víctor Fernández: Víctor Fernández Braulio. BDFutbol. 3 September 2019.
    Web site: Víctor Fernández: Víctor Fernández Braulio. BDFutbol. 3 September 2019.
  40. Web site: Víctor Fernández: Víctor Fernández Braulio. BDFutbol. 18 February 2016.
  41. Web site: Víctor Fernández: Víctor Fernández Braulio. BDFutbol. 18 February 2016.
    Web site: Víctor Fernández: Víctor Fernández Braulio. BDFutbol. 18 February 2016.
    Web site: Víctor Fernández: Víctor Fernández Braulio. BDFutbol. 18 February 2016.
    Web site: Víctor Fernández: Víctor Fernández Braulio. BDFutbol. 18 February 2016.
  42. Web site: Víctor Fernández: Víctor Fernández Braulio. BDFutbol. 18 February 2016.
    Web site: Víctor Fernández: Víctor Fernández Braulio. BDFutbol. 18 February 2016.
  43. Web site: Víctor Fernández: Víctor Fernández Braulio. BDFutbol. 18 February 2016.
    Web site: Víctor Fernández: Víctor Fernández Braulio. BDFutbol. 18 February 2016.
  44. Web site: Víctor Fernández: Víctor Fernández Braulio. BDFutbol. 18 February 2016.
  45. Web site: Víctor Fernández: Víctor Fernández Braulio. BDFutbol. 18 February 2016.
  46. Web site: Víctor Fernández: Víctor Fernández Braulio. BDFutbol. 18 December 2018.
    Web site: Víctor Fernández: Víctor Fernández Braulio. BDFutbol. 20 August 2019.
  47. Web site: Víctor Fernández: Víctor Fernández Braulio. BDFutbol. 13 March 2024.
  48. News: ¿Qué fue de 'los héroes de París'?. What happened to the 'heroes of Paris'?. Heraldo de Aragón. es. 4 May 2015. 9 June 2016.

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