Javier Clemente is a renowned Spanish footballer and manager known for his impactful career in both playing and coaching roles.
He began his professional playing career with Athletic Club in 1968, where he made a significant mark until 1973.
Clemente made his official debut at just 18 years old, playing against Liverpool in the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup.
Biography
Early Life
Javier Clemente Lázaro was born in Barakaldo, Biscay, Spain, where he began his journey in football at a young age. At just 16, he joined the youth system of Athletic Bilbao, transitioning from local club Barakaldo CF. His talent was quickly recognized, and he made his official debut for the first team at the age of 18, under the guidance of manager Agustín Gaínza. Clemente's early career was marked by significant achievements, including participation in the 1969 Copa del Generalísimo final, where Athletic Bilbao triumphed over Elche CF.
Playing Career
Clemente played primarily as a forward, showcasing his skills in La Liga with Athletic Club from 1968 to 1973. His best season came in 1969-70, where he played 18 matches. However, his promising career was cut short due to a severe leg injury sustained during a match against CE Sabadell FC, which led to multiple surgeries and his retirement at the young age of 24.
Coaching Career
Following his retirement, Clemente swiftly transitioned into coaching, starting with local clubs before taking the helm at Athletic Bilbao in 1981. He led the team to consecutive La Liga titles in 1983 and 1984, but his tenure was also marked by a fierce rivalry with FC Barcelona's César Luis Menotti. After leaving Athletic, he managed RCD Español, achieving a third-place finish in La Liga and reaching the UEFA Cup final. Clemente's coaching career further expanded when he took charge of the Spain national team in 1992, aiming to revitalize the squad after a disappointing qualification campaign for UEFA Euro 1992.
Legacy
Clemente's legacy in football is underscored by his managerial successes, including multiple titles with Athletic Bilbao and a notable run with the Spain U21 team. His contributions to football were recognized with several individual awards, including the Don Balón Award for best manager in the 1980s. He also led Libya to victory in the African Nations Championship in 2014, showcasing his adaptability and expertise across different football cultures.
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Gallery
Career & Clubs
Born in Barakaldo, Biscay, Clemente joined Athletic Bilbao's youth system at the age of 16, from local Barakaldo CF. He was propelled to the first team at only 18 by manager Agustín Gaínza, making his official debut against Liverpool in that season's Inter-Cities Fairs Cup (2–1 home win, 3–3 aggregate triumph); along with fellow teenage newcomer José María Igartua, he was selected for the 1969 Copa del Generalísimo final, a 1–0 victory over Elche CF in Madrid. Clemente's best La Liga output with his only club consisted of 18 games in the 1969–70 campaign. On 23 November 1969, during a league match against CE Sabadell FC, he suffered a serious leg injury (fibula and tibia) from which he never fully recovered; after four unsuccessful operations, he retired aged just 24.
Beginnings and Athletic
Clemente started coaching immediately after retiring. His first stops were with local Arenas Club de Getxo, CD Basconia and Athletic's reserves. In summer 1981, 31-year-old Clemente was appointed at Athletic Bilbao. He led the side to back-to-back national championships in his second and third years but, during this timeframe, also began a bitter rivalry with César Luis Menotti and his FC Barcelona – the Argentine criticised his playing style as authoritarian and his teams as defensive and destructive, and the Spaniard in turn dismissed Menotti as an ageing hippy and womaniser; the culmination of this was the 1984 final of the Copa del Rey, which ended in a massive brawl between the two sets of players. Clemente left the Lions midway through the 1985–86 season, after a run-in with star player Manuel Sarabia. He was subsequently appointed at RCD Español in the same league, leading them to a best-ever third place in 1987 and the final of the UEFA Cup the following year, but being relieved of his duties in March 1989 after questioning his squad's desire – the campaign eventually ended in relegation for the Catalans. In the following years, Clemente had incomplete top-flight spells with Atlético Madrid, a return to Athletic Bilbao and Español.
Spain national team
In 1992 Clemente was appointed manager of Spain, replacing Vicente Miera after the nation had failed to qualify for UEFA Euro 1992. His first game in charge was a 1–0 friendly…
- Club
- Athletic Club (1968–1973)
- Club
- Athletic Bilbao B (1973–1974)
- Club
- Spain national under-18 football team (1968–1968)
- Club
- Spain national under-23 football team (1969–1970)
- Club
- Real Betis Balompié
Legacy
Player
Athletic Bilbao
Copa del Rey: 1969
Manager
Athletic Bilbao
La Liga: 1982–83, 1983–84 Copa del Rey: 1983–84; runner-up: 1984–85 Supercopa de España: 1984 Spain U21
UEFA European Under-21 Championship runner-up: 1996 Libya
African Nations Championship: 2014 Individual
Don Balón Award: 1982–83, 1983–84, 1986–87
Clubs
Played together with
Abde EzzalzouliReal Betis Balompié · 2023
Abelardo FernándezSpain national under-23 football team · 1991–1992
Achille EmanáReal Betis Balompié · 2008–2011
AdriánReal Betis Balompié · 2012–2013- AdriánReal Betis Balompié · 2024
Adrián López ÁlvarezSpain national under-23 football team · 2012–2012
Adrián Marín GómezSpain national under-18 football team · 2014–2014
Adrián OrtoláSpain national under-18 football team · 2011–2011- Ager AketxeAthletic Bilbao B · 2012–2016
- Ager AketxeAthletic Club · 2003–2011
- Ager AketxeAthletic Club · 2014–2018
- Agustín AranzábalSpain national under-23 football team · 1996–1996
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Javier Clemente Lázaro is a Spanish football manager and former player who played as a midfielder.
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
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