Francisco García Gómez

Francisco García Gómez (14 February 1938 – 21 August 2024), commonly known as Paquito, was a Spanish football midfielder and manager.

Over the course of 14 seasons, he played 327 La Liga games as a midfielder in representation of Real Oviedo and Valencia CF, scoring 31 goals. In the 1970–71 campaign, he appeared in 27 matches (all starts) and netted three times as the latter team won their fourth national championship, the first in 24 years. Playing career Paquito was born in Oviedo, Asturias. Over the course of 6 seasons for Real Oviedo, he played 115 La Liga games as a midfielder, scoring 5 goals. The 1957–58 Segunda División campaign saw Real Oviedo promoted to La Liga. The club high point was a best-ever third position in 1962–63 (ranking joint-first with Real Madrid after the first 15 rounds). However, the club had been experiencing financial difficulties and, under Enrique Orizaola, had to sell Paquito and other key players Sánchez Lage and José María.

In the 1970–71 campaign, he appeared in 27 matches (all starts) and netted three times as the latter team won their fourth national championship, the first in 24 years.

Paquito earned nine caps for Spain during nearly five years, his debut coming on 1 November 1962 in a 6–0 home win against Romania for the 1964 European Nations' Cup qualifiers. He was part of Spain's squad that won the 1964 European Nations' Cup. his first job with the professionals being in the 1977–78 season with Real Valladolid (Segunda División, seventh position). He achieved three promotions to the top flight, with Racing de Santander (1993), Rayo Vallecano (1995) and Villarreal CF (2000).

With the latter club, Paquito also worked in directorial capacities, as an assistant manager, youth academy director and head coach of farm team CD Onda.

Death García died in Valencia on 21 August 2024, at the age of 86.

Honours Valencia La Liga: 1970–71 Copa del Generalísimo: 1966–67 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup: 1962–63

Spain UEFA European Championship: 1964