Manuel 'Manolo' Preciado Rebolledo was a Spanish football defender and manager. His 15-year career was mainly associated with Racing de Santander, and he also represented five other teams, mostly in the lower leagues. As a manager, he also coached with his main club but worked mostly with Sporting de Gijón, promoting to La Liga in 2008. Preciado died in June 2012 at the age of 54, from a heart attack.
Playing career
Born in El Astillero, Cantabria, Preciado appeared in 59 La Liga matches for local Racing de Santander, split between three of his five-year spell with the club. His best-ever in the top flight was 32 games in the 1978–79 season, which ended in relegation. After three years in Segunda División, Preciado resumed his career in the lower leagues, eventually retiring in 1992 with lowly Gimnástica de Torrelavega, also in his native region, at nearly 35. He scored his first and only goal in the top level on 18 April 1982, but in a 1–4 away loss against Athletic Bilbao.
Coaching career
Preciado took up coaching in the mid-90s precisely with his last club, leading it to the Tercera División championship. Being then recalled by Racing to be in charge of the reserves, another promotion to Segunda División B befell, now in 2002. Preciado was called for first-team coaching duties in 2002–03's top flight, helping them retain their status in his 18 games in charge. After second division spells with Levante UD – with promotion– and Real Murcia, he returned to Santander; although the side finished just one point above the relegation zone, they managed a 2–1 win over Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium on 21 December 2005. In the summer of 2006, Preciado switched to Sporting de Gijón. In his second season he managed to lead the Asturians to the top division after ten years, then avoid relegation with the lowest budget of all 20 teams, after a 2–1 home win against Recreativo de Huelva in the last round on 31 May 2009, renewing his contract later that year. Preciado again led Sporting into safety in the 2009–10 campaign. In November 2010, after resting almost his entire starting XI for a match against FC Barcelonatwo months earlier, he was accused by Real Madrid manager José Mourinho of throwing the match, and responded by calling the Portuguese a "bad colleague" and a "scumbag". After the war of words, the two teams met at the El Molinón on the 14th, with the visitors winning it 1–0; on 2 April 2011, at the Santiago Bernabéu, Sporting won by the same scoreline, becoming the first team in nine years to defeat Mourinho in a league match at home, with Preciado later commenting that "Mourinho entered our dressing room and congratulated us". Preciado was fired on 31 January 2012 after nearly six years in charge, following a 1–5 away loss to Real Sociedad and with his team ranking 19th in the league.
Personal life
In 2002, Preciado's wife died from cancer. Two years later, his 15-year-old son was killed in a car crash. He later claimed about the incidents: "I could have shot myself or I could have carried on". On 20 April 2011, Preciado's father, also named Manuel, died after being run over in Santander.
Death and reaction
On 6 June 2012, Preciado was appointed at Villarreal CF who, as Sporting had, suffered relegation at the season's end. Later in that day, he was found dead in an hotel in the Valencian Community, from a heart attack. He was reportedly a chain-smoker, consuming 40 cigarettes a day. According to the Associated Press, "Preciado's sudden death led to an outpouring of emotional responses from Spanish clubs, coaches and players." Spain national team manager Vicente del Bosque, in Poland to prepare for UEFA Euro 2012, told Spanish sports daily Marca "We are all shocked. We were having breakfast and we were all taken back by the news. He was a caring person and a great sportsman. He was a man of football that was an honor to coaching." Team member Juan Mata said, "The truth is that this is difficult to digest. I always remember him smiling, as a happy person that transmitted his passion, joy and character to all his teams. Talking about him in the past tense is tough for me." Mourinho issued an open letter on Real Madrid's official website, saying in part that "He had everything I like in people and sportsmen: character, honesty and the courage to fight on." Joaquín Caparrós, manager at RCD Mallorca, said "I was so happy for him joining Villarreal. I am sure he would have taken it back to the first division. He should be a reference in the world of coaching." In Gijón, many people met at Estadio El Molinón, the home ground of Sporting, in order to pay their respects. The same day, the city Mayor announced she would make a proposal to name a street close to the stadium "Alameda de Manuel Preciado". On 7 June 2013, just one year after Preciado's death, a bronze statue was inaugurated near El Molinón, with the funds being arranged through popular donations.
