Carlos Martínez (footballer, born 1980)

Carlos Martínez Fernández (born 13 November 1980) is a Spanish retired footballer who played as a left winger, and is a current manager.

Playing career
Born in Llerena, Badajoz, Extremadura, Martínez only played amateur football well into his 20s. In 2007, he joined Segunda División B side CD Leganés, being a regular starter for the club during his three-year spell.

On 28 July 2010, Martínez signed for AD Alcorcón, newly promoted to Segunda División. He made his professional debut on 29 August of that year at the age of 29, coming on as a second-half substitute for goalscorer Fernando Sales in a 1–1 away draw against Albacete Balompié.

Martínez scored his first and only goal in division two on 10 April 2011, netting his team's fourth in a 4–1 away routing of Córdoba CF. In July of the following year, after being sparingly used, he returned to his former side Leganés, scoring a career-best 11 goals in his first season and helping the team achieve promotion in his second.

Martínez retired in 2015, aged 34, after featuring regularly for third division side CF Fuenlabrada.

Managerial career
Shortly after retiring, Martínez started working as a fitness coach in Atlético Madrid's youth setup, before moving to China and Saudi Arabia. On 8 July 2019, he returned to Lega after being named Luis Cembranos' assistant in the B-team. He moved to the first team after Cembranos took over the main squad in an interim manner, but remained in the staff after the appointment of Javier Aguirre.

On 10 September 2020, Martínez was announced as manager of Leganés' B-team. On 4 April 2023, he was named manager of the first team, after Imanol Idiakez was sacked.

Martínez helped Lega to avoid relegation, but departed on 6 June 2023 after the club only offered him to be a part of the staff. Fourteen days later, he took over Primera Federación side CF Fuenlabrada.

Martínez was sacked by Fuenla on 22 April 2024, after a run of five winless matches.

Personal life
Martínez's younger brother Robert was also a footballer. A central midfielder, he never appeared in any higher than the third division.