Fernando Castro Santos

Coaching career Santos began working as a manager at only 31 with Pontevedra, before moving to Galician neighbours SD Compostela in 1989. During his six-year spell at the latter club, he led it from Tercera División to La Liga. Santos stayed in the region, signing with RC Celta de Vigo and remaining two years there. He started 1997–98 in Portugal with S.C. Braga, being fired in January 1998 (the side eventually reached the final of the Taça de Portugal) and returning to his country with Sevilla FC.

Santos left Sevilla in January 1999, as the team eventually promoted to the top flight with his successor Marcos Alonso at the helm. He spent the following years at CD Tenerife, Polideportivo Ejido, Córdoba CF, UD Almería and UD Vecindario, all in the Spanish second tier. He again was in charge of Braga in the 2002–03 season, meeting the same fate and later taking the club to court for unfounded dismissal.

Santos went back to Portugal on 9 February 2010, as a replacement for the sacked José Mota at Leixões SC. On 21 October, he took over from Ángel Viadero in a return to Pontevedra, not being able to prevent relegation from Segunda División B as third-bottom.

Personal life Santos' son, Diego Castro, was also a professional footballer. A winger, he represented with success Sporting de Gijón and Perth Glory FC.