Antonio Rivas (Spanish footballer)

Antonio Rivas Martínez (born 13 September 1965) is a Spanish retired footballer who played as a central defender, and a manager.

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Rivas and the second or maternal family name is Martínez.
Antonio Rivas
Rivas coaching Alcorcón B
Personal information
Full name Antonio Rivas Martínez
Date of birth (1965-09-13) 13 September 1965
Place of birth Alcázar de San Juan, Spain
Height 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Position(s) Centre back
Youth career
Gimnástico Alcázar
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1984–1988 Atlético B 73 (9)
1984–1988 Atlético Madrid 4 (1)
1988–1989 Mallorca 25 (4)
1989–1998 Oviedo 239 (15)
1999–2000 Albacete 46 (1)
2000–2001 Benidorm 19 (0)
Total 406 (30)
Teams managed
2003–2006 Oviedo
2007–2009 Atlético Madrid (youth)
2009–2011 Atlético B
2011 Fuenlabrada
2013–2014 Alcorcón B
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Playing career

Rivas was born in Alcázar de San Juan, Province of Ciudad Real. After an unsuccessful four-year stint with Atlético Madrid, only appearing in four games with the first team, he signed in 1988 with RCD Mallorca, being regularly used during his only season as the Balearic Islands club returned to La Liga after one year out.

Subsequently, Rivas joined Real Oviedo, going on to play nine consecutive campaigns in the top flight and rarely missing a match when healthy. In 1990–91, he contributed with 36 appearances to help the Asturias side qualify to the UEFA Cup; in 1994–95, he scored a career-high five goals for another comfortable midtable finish (ninth).

After nearly 300 official appearances with Oviedo, the 33-year-old Rivas left the club in the 1999 January transfer window, representing Albacete Balompié in one and a half Segunda División seasons. He closed out his career in Segunda División B, after one year with Benidorm CF.

Coaching career

Rivas started coaching in 2002–03, being one of four managers as Oviedo was relegated to the third division – eventually to Tercera División due to irregularities. Two years later, he led them to promotion to that level.

In 2007, Rivas returned to his first professional team Atlético Madrid. After two years he was appointed at their reserves in division three, leading them to the seventh position in his debut campaign.

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