Juan Ramón López Muñiz

Juan Muñiz

Personal information
Full name	Juan Ramón López Muñiz
Date of birth	November 2, 1968 (1968-11-02)
Place of birth	Gijón, Spain
Height	1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Playing position	Centre back
Youth career
	Sporting Gijón
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
1986–1991	Sporting B
1991–1996	Sporting Gijón	150	(6)
1996–1999	Rayo Vallecano	107	(4)
1999–2002	Numancia	76	(0)
Teams managed
2003–2004	Málaga (assistant)
2006	Marbella
2006–2008	Málaga
2008–2009	Racing Santander
2009–2010	Málaga
2010–	Dnipro (assistant)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 30 June 2010. † Appearances (Goals).

This name uses Spanish naming customs; the first or paternal family name is López and the second or maternal family name is Muñiz.

Juan Ramón López Muñiz (born 2 November 1968) is a retired Spanish footballer who played as a central defender, and a current manager.

Playing career

Muñiz was born in Gijón, Asturias. During his playing days, he represented hometown club Sporting de Gijón (making his first team debuts in 1991–92, already at 23), Rayo Vallecano (scoring four goals in 40 matches during 1998–99, which granted the Madrid side La Liga promotion via playoffs, even though they finished fifth) and CD Numancia.

He retired after the 2001–02 season at the age of 33, as the Soria club could only finish in 17th position in Segunda División. In 11 years as a professional, Muñiz appeared in 333 games and scored ten goals (234/6 in the top division).

Coaching career

Muñiz started as an assistant manager at Málaga in 2003, under Juande Ramos. His first head coach experience arrived in early 2006, with lowly UD Marbella, and he subsequently returned to Málaga as the main manager for two seasons, achieving a runner-up place in 2007–08, thus promoting the Andalusia outfit to the first division after a two-year hiatus.

In July 2008, he switched to fellow league team Racing de Santander. At the season's end, however, he was released from contract, and promptly returned to Málaga, replacing Antonio Tapia, who took over relegated neighbours Real Betis.

In late June 2010, after leading Málaga to the 17th position, last above the relegation zone, Muñiz was sacked. Shortly after, he rejoined Ramos at FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk in Ukraine.

External links

• Stats at Liga de Fútbol Profesional (Spanish)
• BDFutbol player profile
• BDFutbol coach profile