Manolo Hierro

Manolo Hierro

Personal information
Full name	Manuel Ruiz Hierro
Date of birth	(1962-02-08) 8 February 1962
Place of birth	Vélez-Málaga, Spain
Height
Position(s)	Centre back
Youth career
	Málaga
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1980–1984	Málaga B
1981–1986	Málaga	51	(4)
1986–1988	Valladolid	57	(4)
1988–1990	Barcelona	0	(0)
1988–1989	→ Betis (loan)	24	(1)
1989–1990	→ Tenerife (loan)	28	(0)
1990–1994	Tenerife	46	(2)
Total		206	(11)
International career
1988	Spain U21	1	(0)
1988	Spain U23	2	(0)
Managerial career
2006	Málaga
2007–2008	Puertollano
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

This name uses Spanish naming customs: the first or paternal family name is Ruiz and the second or maternal family name is Hierro.

Manuel "Manolo" Ruiz Hierro (born 8 February 1962) is a Spanish retired footballer who played as a central defender.

He amassed La Liga totals of 175 games and seven goals over the course of ten seasons, representing mainly Tenerife (four years) and Málaga (three).

Playing career

Born in Vélez-Málaga, Andalusia, Hierro started playing professionally with local CD Málaga, but only appeared in 20 games for the first team in his first three seasons combined, also suffering La Liga relegation in the last one. After one more year in Segunda División, he signed with Real Valladolid in the top level.

After helping the Castile and León side finish eighth in his second season, with one of the best defensive records in the competition (38 matches, 34 goals), Hierro signed with FC Barcelona, but only lasted a few months in Catalonia, moving to Real Betis on loan. Suffering top flight relegation with the Verdiblancos he subsequently joined CD Tenerife– also in the top division and on loan – and retired from football at 32, having amassed professional totals of 206 games and 11 goals.

Post-retirement

After retiring as a player, Hierro served as director of football to his first team – now renamed Málaga CF – for several seasons. In early 2006, following the dismissal of Antonio Tapia, he was named head coach, as the club was eventually relegated from the first division and he was relieved of his duties as both director and manager.

Personal life

Hierro was the second of three siblings who were all footballers, and defenders. His older brother, Antonio, played almost exclusively for Málaga, while the youngest, Fernando, represented mainly Real Madrid and scored more than 20 goals for the Spanish national team.

From 1980 to 1986 Manuel and Antonio played together in Málaga, and Fernando was Manuel's teammate at Valladolid for one season.

External links

• Manolo Hierro profile at BDFutbol
• Manolo Hierro manager profile at BDFutbol