Manolo Hierro

Born in Vélez-Málaga, Andalusia, Hierro started playing professionally with local CD Málaga, but only totalled 26 games for the first team in his first five seasons, also suffering La Liga relegation in the last one. After one more year in the Segunda División, he joined Real Valladolid of the top division.

After helping the Castile and León side finish eighth in his second season, with one of the best defensive records in the competition (38 matches, 34 goals), Hierro signed for Barcelona, but only lasted a few months in Catalonia, moving to Real Betis on loan. Suffering top-flight relegation with the Verdiblancos, he subsequently joined Tenerife– also in the top tier and on loan – and retired from football at 32, having amassed professional totals of 206 games and 11 goals.

Hierro was the second of three siblings who were all footballers, and defenders. His older brother, Antonio, played almost exclusively for Málaga, while the youngest, Fernando, represented mainly Real Madrid and scored more than 20 goals for the Spain national team.

From 1980 to 1986 Manuel and Antonio played together in Málaga, and Fernando was Manuel's teammate at Valladolid for one season.