Miguel Ángel Lotina

Born in Meñaka, Biscay, Lotina started playing football with local Gernika Club, representing Castellón from 1981 to 1983. In his only season in La Liga he scored three goals in 21 games for the Valencians, who ranked 18th and last. In summer 1983, Lotina signed with Logroñés. After netting 22 goals over two Segunda División seasons with the Riojan side – also representing them in Segunda División B – he contributed two in 14 matches in the 1986–87 campaign as the team promoted to the top flight for the first time ever, after finishing second to champions Valencia; he retired from the game in 1988 at the age of 31, without having appeared in the main division with his main club.

Early years

After starting coaching with Logroñés' reserves, Lotina managed the club in two separate stints in the 90s (12 games). In 1995–96, whilst in charge of Numancia, he helped the third-tier team reach the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey after ousting top-flight sides Real Sociedad, Racing de Santander and Sporting de Gijón before bowing out to eventual finalists Barcelona 5–3 on aggregate. After his debut in the top division with Logroñés in the 1996–97 season, being one of five managers as they finished in 22nd and last position, Lotina's next years were spent in division two with Badajoz, Numancia and Osasuna, helping the second promote to the top flight for the first time ever in 1999 and the third achieve the same feat the following year after a six-year absence. He remained with the Navarrese for two further campaigns, as they consecutively retained their status.

Celta

Lotina led Celta de Vigo to their first participation in the UEFA Champions League in 2002–03 as the Galicians finished fourth. The following season, however, even though the team progressed through the group stage by notably defeating AC Milan 2–1 at the San Siro, he was sacked after 21 rounds in an eventual relegation.

Espanyol and Real Sociedad

In 2004–05, Lotina coached Espanyol to qualification for the UEFA Cup after finishing fifth. The year 2006 brought him his first football trophy, as the team won the domestic cup against Real Zaragoza (4–1) in the manager's…

Espanyol

Copa del Rey: 2005–06 Deportivo

UEFA Intertoto Cup: 2008