Xisco

Deportivo

A product of Deportivo de La Coruña's youth ranks, Xisco was born in Santa Ponsa, Mallorca in the Balearic Islands, and he made his La Liga debut on 16 April 2005 against Real Sociedad. His first (and second) goal arrived also that season, in a 2–2 draw away to Real Zaragoza on 15 May. In 2007–08, after a season-long loan at Segunda División's UD Vecindario, Xisco emerged as a top-flight striker, scoring five goals in two matches: a hat-trick in a 3–1 home win over Real Murcia CF on 30 March 2008, adding two at Racing de Santander (same result) the following week.

Newcastle United

On 1 September 2008, Xisco signed for Newcastle United for a reported initial fee of £5.7 million, although the fee could have eventually risen to £7 million subject to conditions. He made his debut for the club in the 1–2 home defeat against Hull City on 13 September, scoring in the game; however, he featured rarely during the season, being only seventh choice behind Michael Owen, Obafemi Martins, Mark Viduka, Peter Løvenkrands, Shola Ameobi and Andy Carroll.

After only four months, Newcastle United attempted to sell Xisco, only to be blocked by FIFA who did not allow for a player to be registered for three clubs in one season. In February 2009 he stated he had not made a mistake by moving, insisting he would eventually succeed. After Newcastle were relegated, Xisco stated that he was unsure whether to stay at the club, and eventually was signed on loan by Racing…

Xisco made his Spain under-21 debut in a friendly with England on 6 February 2007, in which he had a shot hit the foot of the post. He scored his first goal in the category against Georgia during the 2009 UEFA European Championship qualifiers, adding to his tally by netting against Russia with a subtle finish also during that stage of the competition. Xisco added another goal on 15 October 2008, in a 3–1 extra time win against Switzerland, helping Spain qualify for the finals where he did not score.

Valencia

Xisco was born in Manacor, Balearic Islands. He began in the youth ranks of local Mallorca, making ten senior appearances for the B team in the Segunda División B in 1998. After two years with Valencia's equivalent, he moved on loan to Recreativo de Huelva of Segunda División, scoring ten goals in his first season. He then joined Tenerife for 2001–02, before returning (always on loan) to his previous club for the 2002–03 campaign, still in La Liga. Xisco returned to Valencia in summer 2003 for two additional seasons, making 22 appearances as the Che conquered the 2004 league title; he scored once as a substitute on 2 November 2003 to conclude a 5–0 away win against Mallorca. He added eight matches in their victorious run in the UEFA Cup also in that year, but remained on the bench in the final against Marseille.

Betis

Xisco signed with Real Betis in 2005 on a six-year deal, often delivering in various attacking positions and displaying all-around teamwork. He netted three times in 2006–07, including a couple of late goals against Racing de Santander and Gimnàstic de Tarragona as the Andalusians only avoided top-flight relegation in the last matchday. In a rocky 2008–09 season, which ended in relegation, Xisco only featured in nine games, scoring once. Dark spots included being replaced after having himself been used as a substitute in a 2–1 home defeat to Málaga, on 11 January 2009.

Levante and later career

In the dying minutes of the…

Dinamo Tbilisi

Xisco returned to Dinamo Tbilisi in January 2019, as part of Zaur Svanadze's staff. He left at the end of the year, after the team had claimed the national championship following a three-year absence. In August 2020, Xisco again returned to Dinamo, now as head coach of the club. With several compatriots on the pitch and the bench, they won the league in December.

Watford

Xisco was appointed as manager of Watford on 21 December 2020, after the dismissal of Vladimir Ivić. His debut in the EFL Championship was five days later, a 1–0 home victory over leaders Norwich City. After a run of five straight wins, Xisco was awarded the Championship Manager of the Month award for March 2021. On 24 April, his team achieved promotion to the Premier League with two games remaining, after a 1–0 win against Millwall at Vicarage Road. Xisco was sacked on 3 October 2021, with the side being 15th after seven matches; it was the 13th change in the club's hotseat since the arrival of owner Gino Pozzo in 2012. In an official statement, Watford wrote that the coach had been presiding over a "negative trend at a time when team cohesion should be visibly improving".

Huesca

On 26 October 2021, Xisco signed as coach of Huesca. Having finished in 13th in his only season with nine wins out of 30, he was replaced in June by José Ángel Ziganda.

Anorthosis

On 4 October 2022, Xisco was appointed manager of Cypriot First Division club Anorthosis until the…

Xisco is the older brother of another footballer, Toni Muñoz. He appeared once for Mallorca's first team, but spent the vast majority of his career in the lower leagues of his country.

Deportivo

Segunda División: 2011–12 Muangthong United

Thai League 1: 2016 Thai League Cup: 2016 Thailand Champions Cup: 2017 Osasuna

Segunda División: 2018–19

Player

Valencia

La Liga: 2003–04 UEFA Cup: 2003–04 UEFA Super Cup: 2004 Dinamo Tbilisi

Erovnuli Liga: 2012–13, 2013–14 Georgian Cup: 2012–13, 2013–14 Georgian Super Cup: 2014 Individual

Erovnuli Liga top scorer: 2012–13, 2013–14 Erovnuli Liga Player of the Year: 2013–14

Manager

Dinamo Tbilisi

Erovnuli Liga: 2020 Watford

EFL Championship runner-up: 2020–21 Johor Darul Ta'zim

Malaysia Super League: 2025–26 Malaysia FA Cup: 2025–26 Malaysia Cup: 2026 Piala Sumbangsih: 2025 Individual

EFL Championship Manager of the Month: March 2021