Eusebio (Spanish footballer)

Eusebio Sacristán Mena (born 13 April 1964), known simply as Eusebio in his playing days, is a Spanish former professional footballer who played as a central midfielder, currently a manager.

He started and ended his 20-year senior career at Real Valladolid, and won an array of domestic and European silverware in his seven seasons at Barcelona. Internationally, he represented Spain at Euro 1988.

Sacristán began working as a coach with Barcelona, and went on to lead Celta, Barcelona B, Real Sociedad and Girona.

Club
Born in La Seca, Province of Valladolid, Eusebio started playing professionally with Real Valladolid, being first-choice from an early age and moving to Atlético Madrid for 1987–88. After that sole season he signed for FC Barcelona, proceeding to be one of coach Johan Cruyff's most used squad members in the subsequent years – he played the full 90 minutes at both the victorious 1989 Cup Winners' Cup and the 1992 European Cup Finals.

Eusebio could only total 36 appearances in his last two seasons, this prompting a move to RC Celta de Vigo in 1995 where he posted two more solid campaigns. He retired in 2002 at the age of 38 with Valladolid, having played 543 La Liga matches (the only division he competed in after being promoted to his first club's first team), third-best in the competition only behind Andoni Zubizarreta and Raúl.

International
Eusebio earned 15 caps for Spain, the first coming on 24 September 1986 in a friendly with Greece, in Gijón. He was subsequently picked for the final squad at UEFA Euro 1988, taking part in no games as the national team exited in the group stage in West Germany.

Coaching career
Upon retiring, Sacristán opened a football school in Valladolid for 6-to-12-year-old children. He also obtained his coaching degree and, from 2003 to 2008, was part of Frank Rijkaard's staff at Barcelona.

On 2 March 2009, Sacristán was named head coach of another former club, Celta, as the Galician side struggled in the Segunda División. The following season was not any better, as although the team eventually retained their status with ease they struggled until the last month of competition; he was let go when his contract expired in June 2010.

Sacristán returned to Barcelona for 2011–12, being appointed the reserves' manager after Luis Enrique left for A.S. Roma. He led them to the third position in his third year; however, following a string of poor results, on 9 February 2015 he was relieved of his duties and replaced by youth coach Jordi Vinyals.

On 9 November 2015, Sacristán was named manager of top-flight Real Sociedad after the dismissal of David Moyes. On 18 March 2018, he was himself fired.

On 7 June 2018, Sacristán was appointed at Girona FC, replacing Sevilla FC-bound Pablo Machín. He left by mutual consent in May 2019, after suffering relegation from the top tier.

Personal life
At the end of 2020, Sacristán suffered a severe cranial injury from a fall in Valladolid, and was placed in an induced coma.

Honours
Barcelona
 * La Liga: 1990–91, 1991–92, 1992–93, 1993–94
 * Copa del Rey: 1989–90
 * Supercopa de España: 1991, 1992, 1994
 * European Cup: 1991–92
 * UEFA Cup Winners' Cup: 1988–89
 * UEFA Super Cup: 1992

Valladolid
 * Copa de la Liga: 1984

Spain U21
 * UEFA European Under-21 Championship: 1986

Individual
 * La Liga Manager of the Month: February 2016, November 2016