Rafael Iriondo

Rafael Iriondo Aurtenechea (24 October 1918 – 24 February 2016) was a Spanish football player and manager. He played as a forward. He won a total of 286 games and scored over 88 goals over the course of 15 seasons. He played for Athletic Bilbao and Real Sociedad. He became a manager, working for nearly 30 years and being in charge of both clubs.

Early life
Iriondo was born in Guernica, Spain.

Career
Iriondo began his career in 1939 with the football team Atlético Tetuán.

After 328 official games for Athletic with 115 goals, Iriondo moved to another team in the region, Barakaldo CF, in 1953. After a couple of months, however, he returned to the top division and joined Real Sociedad. He retired shortly after the end of the 1954–55 season.

Iriondo started coaching quickly after retiring, with modest SD Indautxu in the second division.Historia (History) ; Indautxu's official website  He continued in his native Basque Country in the following years, with Deportivo Alavés and Barakaldo.Entrenadores (Managers); Barakaldo's official website 

Iriondo retired in 1982 after coaching Real Betis.

Death
Iriondo died on 24 February 2016 in Bilbao, Spain from respiratory failure. He was aged 97.

References

Other websites
National team data  

Spain stats at Eu-Football

Category:1918 births
Category:2016 deaths
Category:Deaths from respiratory failure
Category:Spanish footballers
Category:Spanish football managers
Category:Rayo Vallecano managers