Natxo González


José Ignacio 'Natxo' González Sáenz is a Spanish football manager and former player, who is currently in charge of Primeira Liga side Tondela.

Football career

González finished his football career at the age of 20, after only playing amateur football. After starting out as a manager at the same level he took charge of Deportivo Alavés' youth setup in 1994, being promoted to the B-team in 1997.
In 2004, González was appointed at CF Reus Deportiu, being promoted to Segunda División B at the end of the 2004–05 campaign. In his only season in the third tier the Catalans finished 17th, being relegated back to Tercera División in the last matchday.
In June 2007, González signed with UE Sant Andreu, also in Catalonia and the fourth division. He achieved promotion at the first attempt and, four years later, was relieved of his duties due to financial problems.
On 14 June 2012, after nearly a year away from club duty, González was appointed Deportivo Alavés' manager, being promoted to Segunda División at the end of the season. He renewed his contract on 7 June 2013, eventually appearing in his first professional match on 16 August, a 0–1 away defeat against Girona FC.
On 3 December 2013, González was sacked after an awful start in Segunda División. On 1 June of the following year he returned to Reus, now in the third level.
On 8 June 2015, González renewed with Reus for a further year. During the 2015–16 campaign, he led the club to the round of 32 of Copa del Rey, being knocked out by Atlético Madrid, and also reached the promotion play-offs after Reus finished first in its group; in the play-offs, the club defeated Racing de Santander in a 4–0 win on aggregate, and achieved promotion to the second level for the first time ever.
On 11 June 2017, González signed a two-year contract with fellow second tier club Real Zaragoza. He later resigned on 11 June 2018, after failing to achieve promotion to La Liga losing 3–2 on aggregate to CD Numancia in the play-offs.
On 15 June 2018, González was named Deportivo de La Coruña manager, also in the second division. He was sacked the following 7 April, following a 0–2 home loss against CF Rayo Majadahonda.
On 14 June 2019, González moved abroad for the first time when was appointed as manager of C.D. Tondela in the Portuguese Primeira Liga. He succeeded Pepa in the role.

Managerial statistics