Sietes


José Manuel Suárez Rivas, known as Sietes, is a Spanish former footballer who played as a left back.
He appeared in 194 La Liga matches over ten seasons, mainly for Racing de Santander. He started his 19-year senior career with Real Oviedo.

Club career

Sietes, who was born in Sietes, Asturias, receiving his nickname from his birthplace, started playing for local giants Real Oviedo, first appearing with the first team on 27 March 1994 in a 0–0 away draw against Real Valladolid. With just nine La Liga matches throughout the entire season, he did score two goals in back-to-back 3–0 wins, over Athletic Bilbao and Atlético Madrid.
Signing with Valencia CF in the 1995–96 campaign, Sietes was used sparingly over two seasons – underperforming mainly due to homesickness– and moved to Racing de Santander for 1997–98, where he would constantly battle top-flight relegation. His career was unassuming afterwards, with stints mainly in the second division, punctuated by a season with Watford in the English Championship where he did not play one single minute.
After only five games for CD Numancia in the 2007–08 campaign, with the Soria team returning to the top division after a three-year absence, Sietes moved to fourth-tier side CD Lealtad in Villaviciosa, remaining there three seasons. On 31 August 2012, after having helped Real Avilés, also in his native region, promote to the third level, the 38-year-old announced his retirement.

International career

Sietes represented Spain at the 1996 Summer Olympics, appearing once for the quarter-finalists.

Post-retirement

After retiring, Sietes was Avilés' general manager for a brief period of time. Also, he worked as mayor of Rales, councilman in the Villaviciosa town hall and scout of RCD Mallorca.
Additionally, Sietes was involved in rural tourism.

Honours

Club

Numancia
Spain U21