Juan Sánchez (footballer, born 1972)


Juan Ginés Sánchez Moreno is a Spanish former professional footballer who played as a striker.
In a career almost entirely associated to Valencia – which he helped to two La Liga titles – and Celta, he scored 89 goals as a professional in 361 games.

Club career

Born in Aldaia, Valencian Community, Sánchez started playing professionally for Valencia CF, and his first La Liga appearance was on 25 October 1992 in a 0–3 loss at FC Barcelona. In the season's closing stages he scored his first goal for the Che, having come on as a late substitute in a 2–0 home win over RCD Español.
After a successful loan stint in the second division with RCD Mallorca, Sánchez left for RC Celta de Vigo, becoming an important attacking element in the Galicians' domestic and European consolidation. In his last two seasons combined, as they finished respectively sixth and fifth, he netted 22 times, eventually returning to his first club.
During the second campaign of his second spell, Sánchez scored 12 league goals and UD Las Palmas ), adding a further two in the UEFA Champions League semi-final second leg against Leeds United, subsequently being replaced in the final loss against FC Bayern Munich.
Subsequently, after having appeared in 25 games in Valencia's 2001–02 league conquest, Sánchez's importance lessened dramatically in his final season. He retired aged 34 after a second spell at Celta, which he helped achieve a return to the top level.
Afterwards, Sánchez became Valencia's sporting director, succeeding Miguel Ángel Ruiz and leaving the post in August 2008. In June 2009 he moved to R.E. Mouscron from Belgium in the same capacity, rejoining former Valencia teammates Amedeo Carboni and Miroslav Đukić.

International career

Sánchez earned one cap for Spain, playing 12 minutes in a 2–2 friendly match against Italy on 18 November 1998, in Salerno.

Honours

Valencia
Celta