Fernando Quintanilla

Athletic Bilbao

Born in Barakaldo, Biscay, Basque Country, Quintanilla was a graduate of Athletic Bilbao's youth system. He made his senior debut as a 19-year-old with the reserve team, Bilbao Athletic, in the Segunda División in October 1983 against Deportivo La Coruña, scoring his first goal in the same match. He remained with the reserves for six seasons, enduring some major injuries and experiencing a relegation followed by a promotion, while also making occasional appearances for the first team; his La Liga debut came against CA Osasuna at the age of 21 in August 1985, having been an important figure for the reserves the previous year (34 league starts, which would prove to be the highest return in his career). Txirri was fully integrated into the Athletic senior squad in 1989–90. The previous season he had played in the UEFA Cup against Juventus, and he featured in 26 league games following his promotion; however, he was unable to secure a regular place in the team ahead of contemporaries Genar Andrinúa and Patxi Salinas and the younger Rafael Alkorta and Patxi Ferreira – all were Spanish internationals – and he was allowed to move on, joining CD Málaga of the second tier in summer 1990.

Later years

Quintanilla's first season on the Costa del Sol was fairly successful, playing 26 times as Málaga reached the promotion playoffs despite economic difficulties; Txirri scored his penalty in the shootout against local rivals Cádiz, but the tie ended in…

After his playing days ended, Quintanilla remained in football, embarking on a career as a support staff member. He was involved in scouting with Athletic Bilbao for several years, including acting as a liaison for local affiliated clubs. In 2015 he was removed from his position, eventually winning a case of unfair dismissal against Athletic in court, meanwhile working with the youth teams of SD Leioa. When the dispute with his former employers was resolved in 2017, he took on a similar role with their neighbours Real Sociedad, as the club from San Sebastián sought to expand their recruitment knowledge in Biscay province.

Quintanilla's son Alex is also a footballer. He too plays as a defender and was trained in the ranks of Athletic Bilbao, although he never made an appearance for the senior side.