Romerito (footballer, born 1977)

Antonio Manuel Ruiz Fernández (born 20 February 1977), commonly known as Romerito, is a Spanish retired footballer who played mainly as a defensive midfielder, and is a current manager.

Playing career
Born in Seville, Andalusia, Romerito started his career with local side CD Cabecense before moving to Xerez CD in 1997. Initially assigned to the reserves, he was exclusively used in the main squad, making his professional debut on 14 September 1997 by coming on as a half-time substitute for Fernando Román in a 0–0 Segunda División away draw against CD Logroñés.

In 1999, Romerito signed for RCD Mallorca, and was assigned to the B-team in Segunda División B. He made his first team – and La Liga – debut on 17 January 2000, starting and scoring the opener in a 1–2 loss at Real Madrid.

In 2001, Romerito agreed to a deal with Recreativo de Huelva in the second division, but left for Hércules CF in the following January after being rarely used. He would resume his career mainly in the third level in the following years, representing CF Extremadura, SD Compostela, Écija Balompié, Linares CF, Águilas CF, Deportivo Alavés, Lucena CF, Real Balompédica Linense and Atlético Sanluqueño CF.

In August 2013, Romerito joined Xerez Deportivo FC, and helped the club in three consecutive promotions to Primera Andaluza before retiring in June 2016, aged 39.

Coaching career
Immediately after retiring, Romerito started working as a youth manager at his last club Xerez Deportivo. On 4 November 2017, he was named manager of CD Rota in the fifth division, and achieved promotion to Tercera División with the club in 2019.

On 10 March 2020, Romerito left Rota to take over third division side Atlético Sanluqueño, and helped the side to avoid relegation. The following 7 April, however, he was sacked.

On 20 May 2021, Romerito was appointed at the helm of another club he represented as a player, Linense. Sacked on 19 February 2022, he spent nearly a year unemployed before returning to Xerez Deportivo, now as first team manager; he left the latter on 19 May 2023.

On 16 April 2024, Romerito became Linares Deportivo's third manager of the campaign, after Óscar Fernández and David Campaña.