Eusebio Ríos


Eusebio Ríos Fernández was a Spanish football defender and manager.

Playing career

Born in Portugalete, Biscay, Ríos started his career in his native Basque Country, representing two teams. In 1958 he moved to Andalusia after signing with Real Betis, going on to play ten seasons with the club before retiring in 1968 at 33 years of age; his debut in the top flight occurred on 21 September 1958 in a 4–2 win against Sevilla FC, in what was the first official match played at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium.
Ríos earned one cap for Spain, playing the second half of a 1–2 friendly loss with Portugal in Porto, on 15 November 1964.

Coaching career

Ríos began coaching in 1970, shortly after retiring. After two years with Real Jaén in the third division and three with Barakaldo CF in the second, he signed with Recreativo de Huelva in the latter level, achieving the oldest club in Spain's first-ever top flight promotion, followed by immediate relegation.
In the following years, Ríos helped another two teams promote to the top division, Real Valladolid and Real Murcia, spending three seasons with the latter. After one and a half seasons with Deportivo de La Coruña in the second tier he was appointed at former side Betis, being sacked on 30 November 1988 after a 2–6 away loss against Atlético Madrid, in a relegation-ending season; he later worked with the club as director of football.
Ríos' last manager job was with Rayo Vallecano, being one of two coaches in the 1991–92 campaign – the other was a young José Antonio Camacho – as the Madrid outskirts team returned to the top flight. He was part of Athletic Bilbao's coaching staff in two separate seasons.

Personal life

Ríos' son, Roberto, was also a footballer and a defender. He played his entire career with Betis and Athletic Bilbao, also going on to represent the national team.

Death

Ríos died in his hometown of Portugalete on 10 May 2008, at the age of 73.