Eusebio Sacristán

Eusebio Sacristán Mena was born on 13 April 1964 in La Seca, Spain. Eusebio is a current head coach of FC Barcelona B. He also acted as a midfielder during his playing career.

Eusebio started to play with the local club Real Valladolid, when a pro contract was penned, in 1982. In his first season as a professional player, the young midfielder was quick to establish himself as a first squad member and he helped his club to win the Spanish League Cup. He retained at Valladolid until 1987 making 117 appearances and amassing 13 goals.

Very soon the talented footballer was noticed by various clubs. In 1987, Mena was scouted by Atlético Madrid. He managed a good season with the team netting three goals in 27 matches. In 1988, the player opted to move to Barcelona and he started a new wonderful stage of his playing career. Eusebio immediately became the first squad regular making starts almost in all the club’s fixtures. In total, he racked up 14 goals in 203 games. The midfielder produced an impressing performance gaining numerous awards and titles. He was the member of the team, which brought the victory at the 1989 Cup Winner’s Cup and the 1992 European Cup. Apart from this, he became the champion of the Spanish League on four occasions and he was also thrice the holder of the Spanish Supercup. In the 7 seasons playing for Barcelona, Eusebio made a name for himself and was deemed one of the best players of the club.

In 1995, Sacristán joined Celta, where he spent another 2 seasons. In 1997, a move to Valladolid happened. The midfielder remained at the club until 2002, when he retired at the age of 38. Altogether, he made 547 La Liga appearances.

Eusebio used to represent the Spain youth national team at U-21 and U-23 level. In 1986, he earned his first call for the Spanish full side. In total, he appeared 15 times for the national squad. In 1988, he participated in UEFA Euro, but his team stayed at the group stage only.

In 2002, after finishing his playing career, Sacristán founded a football school for 6-to-12 year-old children in Valladolid. In 2003, after he’d got the coaching degree, Eusebio became the member of Barcelona coaching staff.

In 2009, he became the head coach of Celta, where he remained until the summer 2010. In 2011, Sacristán was welcomed back to Barcelona, where he was named the B-squad’s manager for the 2011/2012 season.