Juanito (footballer, born 1976)


Juan Gutiérrez Moreno, commonly known as Juanito, is a Spanish retired footballer who played as a central defender, and a manager.
A player of physical display, he was also noted for his excellent aerial ability. He spent the bulk of his career with Betis, appearing in 294 official matches and winning one Copa del Rey.
With the Spanish national team, Juanito appeared in one World Cup and two European Championships, contributing to the conquest of Euro 2008.

Club career

Cádiz / Betis

Juanito was born in Cádiz. After taking his first steps as a senior with the B-side of hometown's Cádiz CF, he transferred to Andalusia neighbours Real Betis in 1997, appearing three seasons for the reserves; in 2000–01 he was loaned to another team in the region, Recreativo de Huelva in Segunda División.
Juanito made his debut for Betis' main squad in the 2001–02 campaign, and immediately established himself as a regular starter, often scoring from deadball situations.
In 2004–05, he netted four goals in 33 games as Betis achieved qualification honours to the UEFA Champions League, while also winning the 2005 domestic cup. David Rivas, the other stopper, added another four.
In the following three seasons, as Betis constantly battled La Liga relegation successfully, Juanito only missed 13 league matches combined, adding six goals. On 22 April 2007, in a 2–2 draw at RCD Espanyol, he played the last minutes as a goalkeeper due to the dismissal of Pedro Contreras, with a penalty being awarded – Raúl Tamudo equalised.

Atlético / Valladolid

After being relegated with the Verdiblancos at the end of 2008–09, Juanito moved to Atlético Madrid on a free transfer, aged almost 33. His debut season was shaky, as he started as first-choice, was relegated to the bench, regained his position from Colombian Luis Perea and lost it again; on 4 April 2010 he scored his first goal as a Colchonero, opening the scoresheet at home against Deportivo de La Coruña.
For the 2010–11 campaign, all Atlético stoppers remained with the team and Uruguayan Diego Godín was also acquired. Hence, Juanito fell further down in the defensive pecking order, only appearing in a Spanish Cup match against Universidad de Las Palmas CF ; on 11 January 2011, he terminated his contract with the club, moving to Real Valladolid in the second level shortly after.

Manager

In August 2012, Juanito returned to Betis as assistant coach of their youth team, and two months later he was promoted to the same role at the reserve side. He was given his first job managing in his own right in June 2015, taking the reins at CD San Roque de Lepe for the upcoming Segunda División B campaign; he was sacked in March 2016, as they occupied a relegation place.
Juanito was given a new job in the same division on 9 July 2016, at Atlético Sanluqueño CF in his native province. He was relieved of his duties on 10 November with the team in last place, having not won since the opening day.
After a spell coaching in Betis' youth ranks, Juanito left in January 2019 for the first foreign job of his entire career, at K.S.V. Roeselare of the Belgian First Division B. He was their third Spanish manager of the season, after Jordi Condom and Nano.

International career

Juanito made his debut for Spain on 21 August 2002 against Hungary, in a testimonial for Ferenc Puskás. His first goal for the national side came on 1 March 2006, in a 3–2 friendly win against the Ivory Coast.
Juanito represented Spain at UEFA Euro 2004 and 2008 and the 2006 FIFA World Cup, scoring with his head in the 1–0 triumph over Saudi Arabia. That goal was the first ever scored by a Betis player in the competition.
In the 2010 World Cup qualifier against Estonia on 11 October 2008, Juanito netted through another header in a 3–0 away success. He was overlooked for the finals in South Africa, however, as the national team emerged victorious.

International goals

Honours

Club

Betis
Atlético Madrid
Spain