José Antonio Irulegui
José Antonio Irulegui Garmendia is a Spanish retired football defender and manager.Playing career
Born in Lasarte-Oria, Gipuzkoa, Basque Country, Irulegui played professional football with SD Eibar, Real Sociedad and Pontevedra CF, in a career that lasted 15 years. He amassed La Liga totals of 249 matches and one goal, over 11 seasons.
Irulegui retired in June 1971 at the age of 34, after one final campaign with the Galician club in Segunda División.Irulegui worked as a manager for nearly three decades, starting with second-tier's Deportivo de La Coruña in 1973–74. He went on to coach Real Sociedad, RCD Español, Real Murcia, Real Burgos CF, Xerez CD, Levante UD, Deportivo Alavés, RCD Mallorca and Villarreal CF.
Irulegui led the last side to promotion to the top flight in the 1997–98 season, in the playoffs. He was relieved of his duties late into the following campaign, which ended in immediate relegation.
