José Antonio Camacho

José Antonio Camacho is a former Spanish football player, the current manager of the national team of China. Camacho was born on 8 June 1955 in Cieza. At the age of 17 he started playing in Albacete Balompié. A year later the talented defender was approached by Real Madrid and subsequently signed a deal with the side. Camacho quickly secured a place in the senior squad of the Spanish Super club and remained one of the main players in the team for 15 years, he made more than 600 appearances, winning 9 Spanish League titles, 5 Spanish Super Cups, 1 Spanish League Cup and claiming UEFA Cup 2 times.

Camacho made 81 international caps for Spain. He was selected for the World Cups in 1982 and 1986, as well as the European tournament in 1984 and 1988.

After retiring from the international scene in 1989, Camacho spent three years as a part of Real Madrid’s coaching staff. In 1992 he took over the reins in Rayo Vallecano and helpied the side to receive promotion to the top flight. From 1994 to 1996 he coached RCD Espanyol that under his helm reached the first division.

After a short spell in as Real Madrid coach that lasted only for 22 days, Camacho took over Javier Clemente at the post of the national team of Spain coach. The manager led the side to the Euro 2000, where they lost to France 2-1 in the quarterfinals. Two years later the Spanish team under his rule qualified to the 2002 World Cup, yet lost there in the quarterfinal to South Korea. After the defeat the coach resigned from the post.

In 2002 Camacho was introduced as Benfica boss, and won the Portuguese Cup with the outfit. The Spaniard returned to Real Madrid in 2004, but following the poor results of the team in La Liga and the UEFA Champions League, he was dismissed.

After working for three seasons with Osasuna from 2008 to 2011, Camacho was appointed as the manager of Chinese national team. During his tenure China did not manage to qualify for the 2014 World Cup.