Paulino Martínez (footballer)

Paulino Martínez Soria (born 14 August 1973), known simply as Paulino, is a Spanish former footballer who played as a striker, currently a manager.

He played for 14 clubs across four levels of Spanish football in his career, mainly in the Segunda División B.

Playing career
Paulino was born in Albacete, Castilla–La Mancha. After making his professional debut with UD Melilla, he went on to represent Albacete Balompié (two stints with the reserves), Águilas CF, Yeclano CF, Atlético Madrid – mainly registered with the B side – Átlético Marbella, CD Manchego, CD Ourense, UD Melilla, AD Ceuta, CD Logroñés, Cultural y Deportiva Leonesa, Universidad de Las Palmas CF, Racing Club Portuense, CF Palencia and CF Villanovense.

In the 1994–95 season, Paulino appeared in five first-team matches with Atlético, totalling 58 minutes in La Liga. His debut in the competition took place on 5 March 1995, as a late substitute in a 1–0 away win against Real Valladolid.

Paulino retired in June 2013 at nearly 40 years of age, after two seasons in the Segunda División B with Villanovense, suffering relegation in his second. He amassed competition totals of 472 games and 141 goals, playoff appearances notwithstanding.

Coaching career
In November 2015, Paulino was appointed at third-tier side Atlético Astorga FC, being relegated at the end of that campaign. On 15 March 2017, he resigned.

Paulino became manager of Palencia CF in the newly-created Tercera División RFEF on 28 October 2021.