Samuel Baños

Samuel Baños Cardín (born 16 August 1979), known simply as Samuel, is a Spanish former professional footballer who played as a midfielder, currently assistant manager of Sporting de Gijón B.

Playing career
Samuel was born in Villaviciosa, Asturias. A product of Sporting de Gijón's youth system at Mareo, he spent the vast majority of his career in the Segunda División, with Sporting, Real Murcia, Xerez CD, Levante UD, AD Alcorcón and CE Sabadell FC. He amassed totals of 271 matches and nine goals over 13 seasons in that tier, promoting to La Liga with the second and fourth clubs.

On 31 August 2012, aged 33, Samuel returned to Segunda División B where he had already represented Sporting B the previous decade, signing for CD Atlético Baleares.

Coaching career
Samuel started his managerial career in 2017 as assistant coach of his hometown club CD Lealtad, and took the reins of the team the following year. They finished the season unbeaten, but could not achieve promotion from Tercera División after falling in the playoffs to Getafe CF B and CP Villarrobledo.

On 6 July 2019, Samuel was appointed at Sporting Gijón's reserves.