Antonio Rivas (Spanish footballer)
Antonio Rivas Martínez is a Spanish retired footballer who played as a central defender, and a manager.Playing career
Rivas was born in Alcázar de San Juan, Province of Ciudad Real. After an unsuccessful four-year stint with Atlético Madrid, only appearing in four games with the first team, he signed in 1988 with RCD Mallorca, being regularly used during his only season as the Balearic Islands club returned to La Liga after one year out.
Subsequently, Rivas joined Real Oviedo, going on to play nine consecutive campaigns in the top flight and rarely missing a match when healthy. In 1990–91, he contributed with 36 appearances to help the Asturias side qualify to the UEFA Cup; in 1994–95, he scored a career-high five goals for another comfortable midtable finish.
After nearly 300 official appearances with Oviedo, the 33-year-old Rivas left the club in the 1999 January transfer window, representing Albacete Balompié in one and a half Segunda División seasons. He closed out his career in Segunda División B, after one year with Benidorm CF.Coaching career
Rivas started coaching in 2002–03, being one of four managers as Oviedo was relegated to the third division – eventually to Tercera División due to irregularities. Two years later, he led them to promotion to that level.
In 2007, Rivas returned to his first professional team Atlético Madrid. After two years he was appointed at their reserves in division three, leading them to the seventh position in his debut campaign.
