José Manuel Ochotorena


José Manuel Ochotorena Santacruz is a Spanish retired footballer who played as a goalkeeper.

Football career

Born in San Sebastián, Gipuzkoa, Ochotorena emerged through Real Madrid's youth ranks, making his professional debut late in 1981–82 due to a professional's strike as he was still part of the reserve squad setup. He would have to wait until the 1985–86 season to become a starter, helping the capital side to that year's La Liga and UEFA Cup titles, but lost his spot the following campaign after the signing of Sevilla FC's Francisco Buyo.
Afterwards, Ochotorena moved to Valencia CF, winning the Ricardo Zamora Trophy in his first season, being replaced mere minutes into the last match at Real Madrid which helped him maintain his average. After three solid seasons at the Mestalla Stadium, he was sent off in a game against the same opponent, and never appeared officially for the Che again; on 17 September 1989, he was on goal in a 2–6 loss to his previous employer.
Ochotorena retired in 1998 at the age of 37, after unassuming spells with CD Tenerife, CD Logroñés and Racing de Santander. He earned one cap for Spain, taking over for Andoni Zubizarreta for the final ten minutes of a friendly against Poland in A Coruña on 20 September 1989, and was in the final squad for the 1990 FIFA World Cup.
Ochotorena then assumed goalkeeping coach duties at both Valencia and the national team but, when countryman Rafael Benítez joined Premier League club Liverpool in July 2004, he replaced Joe Corrigan.
In July 2007, Ochotorena returned to Valencia once again, being replaced at Liverpool by Xavi Valero. He also continued to work with the national team.