Víctor Muñoz

This article is about the footballer. For the biochemist, see Victor Muñoz (biochemist).

Víctor Muñoz

Personal information
Full name	Víctor Muñoz Manrique
Date of birth	15 March 1957 (1957-03-15)
Place of birth	Zaragoza, Spain
Height	1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)
Playing position	Midfielder
Youth career
	Zaragoza
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
1976–1981	Zaragoza	126	(12)
1981–1988	Barcelona	224	(14)
1988–1990	Sampdoria	48	(2)
1990	Zaragoza	4	(0)
1991	St. Mirren	18	(1)
National team
1979–1980	Spain U23	7	(2)
1979–1983	Spain amateur	11	(1)
1980–1981	Spain B	3	(0)
1981–1988	Spain	30	(3)
Teams managed
1995–1997	Mallorca
1997–1998	Logroñés
1998–2000	Lleida
2000–2003	Villarreal
2004–2006	Zaragoza
2006–2007	Panathinaikos
2007–2008	Recreativo
2008–2009	Getafe
2010–2011	Terek Grozny
2011–2012	Neuchâtel Xamax
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. † Appearances (Goals).

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

Víctor Muñoz Manrique (born 15 March 1957 in Zaragoza, Aragon) is a retired Spanish footballer who played as a midfielder, and a current coach.

An all-around midfield unit, he was best known for his great physical strength that helped him tire his opponents in the early stages of the match. He spent most of his professional career at FC Barcelona, winning a total of eight major titles.

A Spanish international during the 80's, Víctor represented the country in one World Cup and two European Championships.

Club career

After starting off with hometown's Real Zaragoza, and being relegated in his first professional season, Muñoz was snapped by La Liga powerhouse FC Barcelona, being a very important element for the Catalans during his seven-year stay.

He was also one of the first Spaniards to ever play in Serie A, with two seasons with U.C. Sampdoria. After a quick return to Zaragoza, Víctor (also known by his first name during his playing days) finished his career at 34, teaming up with former Barça teammate Steve Archibald at St. Mirren.

Since the mid-1990s, Muñoz started working as a manager, and successively coached RCD Mallorca, CD Logroñés, UE Lleida, Villarreal CF and Zaragoza. On 8 October 2006, he signed a two-year contract with Greece's Panathinaikos FC, becoming the 18th coach in 10 years for The Greens. However, he returned to Spain in June 2007 to take over at Recreativo de Huelva, from where he was sacked the following February.

For 2008–09, Muñoz was appointed coach at Getafe CF, on 18 June 2008. Following a poor string of results in April 2009, he was sacked, making way to former Real Madrid player Míchel.

In late December 2010, after more than one year out of football, Muñoz was appointed head coach at Russian Premier League side FC Terek Grozny. He left his post after less than one month, making way for Ruud Gullit.

Muñoz returned to active in early September 2011, when he became Neuchâtel Xamax's third coach of the season, replacing countryman Joaquín Caparrós at the helm of the Swiss club.

International career

Muñoz was a regular player for Spain during the vast majority of the '80s, receiving his first opportunity on 25 March 1981, in a 2–1 friendly win with England, and going on to gain a further 59 caps, with three goals.

He played for the nation at the 1986 FIFA World Cup, and at UEFA Euro 1984 (in a final runner-up position, to hosts France) and 1988, retiring from international duty immediately after that group stage exit.

International goals

Goal	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1.	24 February 1982	Luis Casanova, Valencia, Spain	Scotland	1–0	3–0	Friendly
2.	17 November 1982	Lansdowne Road, Dublin, Republic of Ireland	Republic of Ireland	1–3	3–3	Euro 1984 qualifying
3.	24 September 1986	El Molinón, Gijón, Spain	Greece	3–0	3–1	Friendly

Honours

Player

Barcelona

• UEFA Cup Winners' Cup: 1981–82
• Spanish League: 1984–85
• Spanish Cup: 1982–83, 1987–88
• Spanish Supercup: 1983
• Spanish League Cup: 1982–83, 1985–86

Sampdoria

• Italian Cup: 1988–89
• UEFA Cup Winners' Cup: 1989–90

Manager

Zaragoza

• Spanish Cup: 2003–04
• Spanish Supercup: 2004

External links

• BDFutbol player profile
• BDFutbol coach profile
• National team data (Spanish)
• Víctor Muñoz at National-Football-Teams.com
• Víctor Muñoz – FIFA competition record
• International appearances; at RSSSF
• FC Barcelona archives (Spanish)
• FC Barcelona profile