Lorenzo Serra Ferrer

Born in Sa Pobla, Mallorca, Balearic Islands, Serra Ferrer played three years with local amateurs Poblense, retiring from football at only 22.

Early years

After coaching youth team La Salle, Serra Ferrer joined his only club as a player in 1980. He won two national championships, and led them to a first-ever promotion to Segunda División B in his second season.

Mallorca

In 1983, Serra Ferrer signed for another side in the region, Mallorca, spending two years with their reserves. In the 1983–84 season, he also coached the main squad in one game as an interim manager. Serra Ferrer promoted twice to La Liga during his spell at the Lluís Sitjar Stadium, in 1986 and 1989, also reaching the Copa del Rey final in 1991, losing 1–0 to Atlético Madrid.

Betis

After eight full seasons with Mallorca, Serra Ferrer joined Real Betis of Segunda División, immediately earning promotion and subsequently achieving a third place the following campaign, only trailing champions Real Madrid and Deportivo de La Coruña whilst posting the best defensive record in the league (25 goals in 38 matches) and qualifying for the UEFA Cup. In 1997, Serra Ferrer led his team to the domestic cup final (a 3–2 overtime loss against Barcelona), after once again qualifying the Andalusians for European competitions with a fourth-place finish in the league.

Barcelona, Betis return

Serra Ferrer moved to Barcelona after the Spanish Cup final, but spent three years working in directorial capacities. In 2000–01, after being named Louis van Gaal's successor following the latter's dismissal, he coached the team until the 31st…

Poblense

Tercera División: 1980–81, 1981–82 Mallorca

Copa del Rey runner-up: 1990–91 Betis

Copa del Rey: 2004–05; runner-up: 1996–97