Real Zaragoza

Real Zaragoza
Full nameReal Zaragoza, S.A.D.
Nickname(s)
  • Los Maños
  • Los Blanquillos
Founded18 March 1932; 92 years ago (1932-03-18)
GroundLa Romareda
Capacity33,608
OwnerAmber Capital [es]
PresidentJorge Mas Santos
Head coachVíctor Fernández
LeagueSegunda División
2022–23Segunda División, 13th of 22
WebsiteClub website
Current season

Real Zaragoza, S.A.D. (Spanish pronunciation: [reˈal θaɾaˈɣoθa]), commonly referred to as Zaragoza, is a football club based in Zaragoza, Aragon, Spain, that currently competes in the Segunda División, the second tier of the Spanish league system. Zaragoza holds its home games at La Romareda.

Founded on 18 March 1932, the club has spent the majority of its history in La Liga, although they have not played at that level since they were last relegated in 2013. They have won the Copa del Rey six times, 1963–64 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup and the 1994–95 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, amongst other trophies. Traditionally, their team colours are white shirts and socks with royal blue shorts.

A government survey in 2007 found that 2.7% of the Spanish population support Real Zaragoza, making them the seventh-most supported in the country.

The club's main rivals are: SD Huesca, their opponents in the Aragonese derby; CD Numancia, from the nearby Province of Soria; and CA Osasuna, the largest club in the neighbouring Navarre region.

History

Early years

Real Zaragoza was originally formed from two rival teams: Iberia SC and Real Zaragoza CD. In 1939, after three years without football due to the Spanish Civil War, the team made its first appearance in La Liga, ending in 7th position out of 12 teams, but being relegated in 1941. The club returned to the top division one year later, only to be immediately relegated back. It remained in Segunda División until the end of the 1950–51 campaign, when it achieved promotion by finishing second in a play-off league.

On 8 September 1957, the team left its original stadium, El Torrero, for its current stadium, La Romareda.

The golden era

Beginning in the 1960–61 season, Zaragoza enjoyed a period of great success, showcasing some of the greatest players playing in Spain during that decade, which earned for themselves the designation of Los Magníficos. While the team failed to capture the league title, it finished in the top five every year until 1968–69, with two third-place finishes, and also won its first two Copa del Rey titles and the 1963–64 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup.

Zaragoza's famous attacking line included Canário, Carlos Lapetra, Marcelino, Eleuterio Santos and Juan Manuel Villa. The Peruvian Juan Seminario, who started his career in Spain with Los Maños before moving to Barcelona, won the Pichichi Trophy in the 1961–62 campaign, scoring 25 goals in 30 matches as Zaragoza finished in fourth position.

1970s to the end of the century

The starting XI in the 1995 Cup Winners' Cup final

Zaragoza finished third in 1973–74 and a best-ever second in the following season, losing the title in the last round to Real Madrid. The club was also defeated 0–1 in the 1976 domestic cup final against Atlético Madrid, spending two seasons in the second level during the decade, with promotion at the first attempt on either occasion.

In 1986, Zaragoza won its third Copa del Rey, defeating Barcelona 1–0. The club finished the 1990–91 season in 17th position, thus having to appear in the promotion/relegation play-offs against Real Murcia; on 19 June 1991, after a 0–0 away draw, a 5–2 home win meant the team managed to maintain its top level status.[citation needed]

Víctor Fernández was appointed manager in 1991. On 10 May 1995, one year after winning the Copa del Rey against Celta de Vigo, Zaragoza won the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup against Arsenal at the Parc des Princes, Paris, after having disposed of the likes of Feyenoord and Chelsea en route. With the score level at 1–1, the two teams entered extra time and, in the 120th minute, Nayim hit a half-volley from just past the halfway line, putting it beyond the reach of goalkeeper David Seaman for the final 2–1. The club then contested the 1995 UEFA Super Cup against Ajax, losing 1–5 on aggregate despite a home draw in the first leg. Víctor Fernández was dismissed from his post in early November 1996, after only winning one league match that season.

The 21st century

Players celebrate a goal by Hélder Postiga during the 2012–13 season.
Chart of Real Zaragoza league performance 1929–2023

The 2000s brought a further two Copa del Rey titles to Zaragoza's trophy cabinet, including the 2003–04 edition against Real Madrid in Barcelona (3–2 after extra time). However, the club also suffered top flight relegation in 2002 after narrowly avoiding so the previous season, but achieved immediate promotion in 2003. In late May 2006, Agapito Iglesias purchased Alfonso Solans' shares and took control of the club, promising to build one of the strongest teams in Spain and Europe. In his first year in charge, he purchased Pablo Aimar from Valencia for 11 million, and former manager Víctor Fernández also returned to the club.

Mainly due to Diego Milito's 23 goals in 2006–07 (he finished third to Roma's Francesco Totti and Real Madrid's Ruud van Nistelrooy – 26 and 25 goals, respectively – in the European Golden Shoe race), Real Zaragoza finished in sixth position, thus qualifying to the UEFA Cup. However, the following season ended in relegation (18th position among 20 teams with only 10 wins in 38 matches, among them only 1 away win in 19 games) – for the second time in the decade – with the side also being eliminated in the first round in European competition. Legendary club coach Víctor Fernández returned for a second spell, although he was sacked in January 2008, as the club had four managers during the campaign. On the last matchday, a brace from Ricardo Oliveira proved insufficient in a 2–3 away loss against Mallorca, with the team totalling 42 points to Osasuna's 43.

Zaragoza achieved promotion from the second division at the first attempt. On the last matchday, on 20 June 2009, the team drew 2–2 at Rayo Vallecano with goals from youth graduate David Generelo and ex-Real Madrid defender Francisco Pavón, only trailing champions Xerez in the table. Nevertheless, that season Zaragoza was the best team at home, gained 50 from their 81 points in home games. However, after four seasons mainly spent in the bottom half of the table, Zaragoza was relegated following the 2012–13 Liga season after finishing last.

In April 2022, the purchase of 51% of the shares of the SAD by an international investment fund led by Jorge Mas was disclosed.

Crest

The club's crest

On March 26, 2007, Real Zaragoza unveiled a new commemorative crest to celebrate the club's 75th anniversary. In July 2008, the 75th anniversary crest, with some modifications, was adopted as the new official crest of Real Zaragoza. This created controversy, as the change of crest was opposed by a large number of Zaragoza fans. To put an end to the badge argument, the club held a vote during the 2011-2012 season ticket sales. Season ticket holders got to decide if the team should go back to using the old badge from the 1990s or keep the newer one.  Voting closed on September 18th, after the fourth game of the season. Out of 23,309 people who could vote, 7,739 season ticket holders voted.  A huge majority (6,951 or 89.1%) picked the old badge, while only 788 (10.9%) wanted to keep the new one.

Seasons

Season to season

Season Tier Division Place Copa del Rey
1932–33 3 1st Round of 16
1933–34 3 1st Round of 16
1934–35 2 3rd Quarter-finals
1935–36 2 2nd Quarter-finals
1939–40 1 7th Semi-finals
1940–41 1 11th Third round
1941–42 2 2nd Round of 16
1942–43 1 13th Round of 16
1943–44 2 6th Round of 32
1944–45 2 7th First round
1945–46 2 10th First round
1946–47 2 13th First round
1947–48 3 3rd Third round
1948–49 3 2nd First round
1949–50 2 4th Second round
1950–51 2 2nd Did Not Play
1951–52 1 12th Quarter-finals
1952–53 1 16th DNP
1953–54 2 9th DNP
1954–55 2 3rd DNP
Season Tier Division Place Copa del Rey
1955–56 2 3rd DNP
1956–57 1 9th Round of 16
1957–58 1 14th Round of 16
1958–59 1 9th Round of 16
1959–60 1 11th Round of 32
1960–61 1 3rd Round of 16
1961–62 1 4th Semi-finals
1962–63 1 5th Runner-up
1963–64 1 4th Winner
1964–65 1 3rd Runner-up
1965–66 1 4th Winner
1966–67 1 5th Round of 32
1967–68 1 5th Quarter-finals
1968–69 1 13th Round of 16
1969–70 1 8th Semi-finals
1970–71 1 16th Round of 16
1971–72 2 3rd Fourth round
1972–73 1 8th Fifth round
1973–74 1 3rd Quarter-finals
1974–75 1 2nd Semi-finals
Season Tier Division Place Copa del Rey
1975–76 1 14th Runner-up
1976–77 1 16th Quarter-finals
1977–78 2 1st Round of 16
1978–79 1 14th Quarter-finals
1979–80 1 10th Fourth round
1980–81 1 14th First round
1981–82 1 11th Quarter-finals
1982–83 1 6th Second round
1983–84 1 7th Third round
1984–85 1 10th Semi-finals
1985–86 1 4th Winner
1986–87 1 5th Round of 16
1987–88 1 11th Round of 32
1988–89 1 5th Round of 32
1989–90 1 9th Quarter-finals
1990–91 1 17th Round of 16
1991–92 1 6th Fifth round
1992–93 1 9th Runner-up
1993–94 1 3rd Winner
1994–95 1 7th Round of 16
Season Tier Division Place Copa del Rey
1995–96 1 13th Quarter-finals
1996–97 1 14th Third round
1997–98 1 13th Semi-finals
1998–99 1 9th Third round
1999–2000 1 4th Round of 16
2000–01 1 17th Winner
2001–02 1 20th Round of 64
2002–03 2 2nd Round of 32
2003–04 1 12th Winner
2004–05 1 12th Round of 64
2005–06 1 11th Runner-up
2006–07 1 6th Quarter-finals
2007–08 1 18th Round of 16
2008–09 2 2nd Second round
2009–10 1 14th Round of 32
2010–11 1 13th Round of 32
2011–12 1 16th Round of 32
2012–13 1 20th Quarter-finals
2013–14 2 14th Second round
2014–15 2 6th Second round
Season Tier Division Place Copa del Rey
2015–16 2 8th Third round
2016–17 2 16th Second round
2017–18 2 3rd Round of 32
2018–19 2 15th Third round
2019–20 2 3rd Round of 16
2020–21 2 15th Second round
2021–22 2 10th Round of 32
2022–23 2 13th First round
2023–24 2 First round

Current squad

As of 1 February 2024

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK Argentina ARG Cristian Álvarez (captain)
2 DF Algeria ALG Akim Zedadka (on loan from Lille)
3 DF Portugal POR Jair Amador
5 MF Spain ESP Jaume Grau
6 DF Spain ESP Alejandro Francés
7 FW Spain ESP Germán Valera (on loan from Atlético Madrid)
8 MF Spain ESP Marc Aguado
9 FW Spain ESP Iván Azón
10 MF Spain ESP Raúl Guti (on loan from Elche)
11 MF Spain ESP Maikel Mesa
12 FW Turkey TUR Sinan Bakış
13 GK France FRA Gaëtan Poussin
No. Pos. Nation Player
14 MF Spain ESP Francho Serrano
15 DF Uruguay URU Santiago Mouriño (on loan from Atlético Madrid)
17 DF Spain ESP Carlos Nieto
18 DF Spain ESP Fran Gámez
19 FW Spain ESP Manu Vallejo (on loan from Girona)
20 FW Spain ESP Víctor Mollejo (on loan from Atlético Madrid)
21 MF Spain ESP Toni Moya
22 DF France FRA Quentin Lecoeuche
23 FW Spain ESP Sergi Enrich
24 DF Spain ESP Lluís López
25 GK Spain ESP Edgar Badia (on loan from Elche)
35 GK Spain ESP Dani Rebollo

Reserve team

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
26 MF Spain ESP Alberto Vaquero
29 FW Spain ESP Pau Sans
30 FW Spain ESP Pablo Cortés
31 DF Spain ESP Juan Sebastián
33 FW Spain ESP Adrián Liso
34 FW Spain ESP Marcos Cuenca
No. Pos. Nation Player
36 GK Spain ESP Guillermo Acín
37 GK Spain ESP Carlos Calavia
38 DF Spain ESP Andrés Borge
39 FW Spain ESP Aitor Mañas
40 DF Spain ESP Hugo Barrachina
41 MF Spain ESP Lucas Terrer

Out on loan

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
GK Spain ESP Nico Rodríguez (at Teruel until 30 June 2024)
DF Spain ESP Marcos Luna (at Real Unión until 30 June 2024)
FW Spain ESP Guillem Naranjo (at Teruel until 30 June 2024)
FW Spain ESP Luis Carbonell (at Ejea until 30 June 2024)
No. Pos. Nation Player
FW Spain ESP Marcos Baselga (at Sabadell until 30 June 2024)
FW Spain ESP Sabin Merino (at Racing Ferrol until 30 June 2024)
FW Spain ESP Sergio Bermejo (at Elche until 30 June 2024)

Current technical staff

Position Staff
Head coach Spain Víctor Fernández
Assistant coach Spain David Navarro
Technical assistant coach Spain Javi Suárez
Goalkeeping coach Spain Mikel Insausti
Fitness coach Spain Miguel Lampre
Analyst Guatemala Álex Sosa
Technical GPS Spain Adrián Díez

Last updated: 26 March 2023
Source: Real Zaragoza (in Spanish)

Honours

Domestic

League

Cups

International

Records

Club

Player

Notable players

Note: this list includes players that have appeared in at least 100 league games and/or have reached international status.

Coaches

Dates Name
March 1932 – June 1932 Spain Elías Sauca
June 1932 – April 1934 Portugal Felipe dos Santos
April 1934 – July 1934 Spain Tomás Arnanz
July 1934 – June 1935 Spain Francisco González
July 1935 – March 1936 Spain José Planas
March 1936 – July 1939 Spain Manuel Olivares
Aug 1939 – July 1941 Spain Tomás Arnanz
July 1941 – Nov 1941 Spain Francisco Gamborena
Nov 1941 Spain Julio Uriarte / Julio Ostalé
Dec 1941 – June 1943 Spain Jacinto Quincoces
July 1943 – June 1945 Spain Patricio Caicedo
July 1945 – Dec 1945 Spain Tomás Arnanz
Dec 1945 – June 1946 Spain Juan Ruiz
July 1946 – June 1947 Spain Manuel Olivares
July 1947 – Jan 1948 Spain Antonio Sorribas
Jan 1948 – April 1948 Spain Enrique Soladrero
April 1948 – May 1948 Italy Antonio Macheda
July 1948 – Jan 1949 Spain Francisco Bru
Jan 1949 – June 1949 Spain Isaac Oceja
July 1949 – Feb 1950 Spain Juan Ruiz
Feb 1950 – June 1950 Spain José Planas
July 1950 – April 1951 Spain Luis Urquiri
April 1951 – Oct 1951 Spain Juan Ruiz
Oct 1951 – Oct 1952 Hungary Elemér Berkessy
Oct 1952 Spain José Luis Conde
Nov 1952-53 Spain Domingo Balmanya
1953-54 Spain Pedro Eguiluz
1954 – June 1956 Spain Mundo
July 1956 – Feb 1958 Spain Jacinto Quincoces
Feb 1958 – June 1958 Spain Casariego
July 1958 – Dec 1959 Spain Juan Otxoantezana
Dec 1959 – June 1960 Spain Mundo
June 1960 Spain Rosendo Hernández
Dates Name
July 1960 – June 1963 Spain César Rodríguez
July 1963 – June 1964 Spain Antoni Ramallets
June 1964 Spain Luis Belló
July 1964 – June 1965 Argentina Roque Olsen
July 1965 – Feb 1966 France Luis Hon
Feb 1966 – June 1967 Czechoslovakia Ferdinand Daučík
June 1967 Spain Andrés Lerín
July 1967 – Nov 1968 Argentina Roque Olsen
Nov 1968 – June 1969 Spain César Rodríguez
July 1969 – June 1970 Spain Héctor Rial
July 1970 – Oct 1970 Spain Cheché Martín
Oct 1970 – Jan 71 Spain Domingo Balmanya
Jan 1971 – Jun e1971 Spain José Luis García Traid
July 1971 – Oct 1971 Spain Rosendo Hernández
Oct 1971 Spain Juan Jugo Larrauri
Oct 1971 – June 1972 Spain Rafael Iriondo
July 1972 – June 1976 Spain Carriega
July 1976 – June 1977 France Lucien Muller
July 1977 – June 1978 Spain Arsenio Iglesias
July 1978 – June 1979 Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Vujadin Boškov
June 1979 – March 1981 Spain Manolo Villanova
March 1981 – June 1984 Netherlands Leo Beenhakker
July 1984 – June 1985 Italy Enzo Ferrari
July 1985 – Dec 1987 Spain Luis Costa
Dec 1987 – June 1988 Spain Manolo Villanova
July 1988 – June 1990 Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Radomir Antić
July 1990 – March 1991 Uruguay Ildo Maneiro
March 1991 – Nov 1996 Spain Víctor Fernández
Nov 1996 – Jan 1997 Uruguay Víctor Espárrago
Jan 1997 – June 1998 Spain Luis Costa
July 1998 – June 2000 Spain Chechu Rojo
July 2000 – Oct 2000 Spain Juan Manuel Lillo
Oct 2000 – June 2001 Spain Luis Costa
Dates Name
July 2001 – Jan 2002 Spain Chechu Rojo
Jan 2002 – March 2002 Spain Luis Costa
March 2002 – June 2002 Spain Marcos Alonso
June 2002 – Jan 2004 Spain Paco Flores
Jan 2004 – June 2006 Spain Víctor Muñoz
July 2006 – Jan 2008 Spain Víctor Fernández
Jan 2008 Spain Ander Garitano
Jan 2008 – March 2008 Spain Javier Irureta
March 2008 – June 2008 Spain Manolo Villanova
July 2008 – Dec 2009 Spain Marcelino
Dec 2009 – Nov 2010 Spain José Aurelio Gay
Nov 2010 – Dec 2011 Mexico Javier Aguirre
Jan 2012 – June 2013 Spain Manolo Jiménez
June 2013 – March 2014 Spain Paco Herrera
March 2014 – Nov 2014 Spain Víctor Muñoz
Nov 2014 – Dec 2015 Serbia Ranko Popović
Dec 2015 – June 2016 Spain Lluís Carreras
June 2016 – Oct 2016 Spain Luis Milla
Oct 2016 – March 2017 Spain Raül Agné
March 2017 – June 2017 Spain César Láinez
June 2017 – June 2018 Spain Natxo González
June 2018 – Oct 2018 Spain Imanol Idiakez
Oct 2018 – Dec 2018 Spain Lucas Alcaraz
Dec 2018 – Aug 2020 Spain Víctor Fernández
Aug 2020 – Nov 2020 Spain Rubén Baraja
Nov 2020 – Dec 2020 Spain Iván Martínez
Dec 2020 – May 2022 Spain Juan Ignacio Martínez
May 2022 – Nov 2022 Spain Juan Carlos Carcedo
Nov 2022 – Nov 2023 Spain Fran Escribá
Nov 2023 – Spain Julio Velázquez

See also


This page was last updated at 2024-03-28 06:27 UTC. Update now. View original page.

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