Gaizka Garitano Aguirre was born on 9 July 1975 and is a Spanish former professional footballer who played as a midfielder, currently manager of SD Eibar.
15 Facts About Gaizka Garitano
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Gaizka Garitano won consecutive promotions in his first two years, and reached the top division with the club in 2014.
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Gaizka Garitano served loans at UE Lleida and SD Eibar.
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Immediately after retiring, having appeared in more than 300 matches in Spain's second tier, Gaizka Garitano moved into coaching, serving as assistant at recently-relegated Eibar.
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Gaizka Garitano repeated the feat the following season, topping the table and leading Eibar to the club's first ever top-division promotion.
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Subsequently, Gaizka Garitano presented his resignation, stating he did not merit to continue.
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Gaizka Garitano signed with Real Valladolid on 6 July 2015, replacing fired Rubi.
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On 10 June 2016, Gaizka Garitano took over for Victor Sanchez as Deportivo de La Coruna manager.
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In summer 2017, Gaizka Garitano was appointed head coach of Bilbao Athletic, replacing Jose Angel Ziganda who had been promoted to manager of the first team.
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Gaizka Garitano remained in that position until 4 December 2018, when it became his turn to be handed the senior role after Eduardo Berizzo, who had followed on from Ziganda's one-year stint, was relieved of his duties after an even shorter spell.
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On 4 April 2019, Gaizka Garitano agreed to an extension at the San Mames Stadium to run until 30 June 2020.
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Gaizka Garitano was fired on 3 January 2021, with the team in ninth.
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On 7 June 2021, Gaizka Garitano returned to Eibar on a two-year deal with the option of a third.
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Gaizka Garitano is the son of Angel Garitano who served for many years as assistant to Mane at managerial appointments including Alaves and Athletic Bilbao, and the nephew of former Athletic and Real Zaragoza midfielder Ander Garitano; they are distantly related to Juan Urquizu who served Athletic as player and manager, while Gaizka's mother's family members include another man who performed both roles, Koldo Aguirre.
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Gaizka Garitano is not related to fellow Basque manager Asier Gaizka Garitano, who had playing spells with Bilbao Athletic and Eibar.