Javier Cabello

Javier Antonio Cabello Rubio (born 20 July 1974) is a Spanish football manager. As of June 2026, Cabello is the manager of Croatian Football League club Istra 1961.

Career Born in Valencia, Cabello started his career with Villarreal CF in 1999, working in their youth setup as a coordinator. He was subsequently appointed manager of CD Cieza in the following year, and remained in charge for four seasons.

In 2004 Cabello returned to Villarreal, again working in the youth categories; in 2006, he started working as a scout for the first team. In 2008, he was named director of Valencia CF's youth setup. In August of the following year, he was named manager of CD Castellón.

Cabello left Castellón in January 2012, following the departure of owner Fernando Miralles. He remained without a club until June 2014, as he was appointed Cultural y Deportiva Leonesa manager.

On 4 July 2015, Cabello was named general manager at Elche CF, but left his post nearly a month later. In June 2017, he was one of the four assistant managers who joined Luis Zubeldía's staff at Deportivo Alavés.

On 17 September 2017, after Zubeldía's dismissal, Cabello was named interim of the Basque side. His first professional match occurred three days later, a 0–1 away loss against Deportivo de La Coruña.

In December 2021, Cabello moved to the United States and joined FC Dallas of Major League Soccer as an assistant to Nico Estévez. On 11 June 2024, the club announced his departure.

On 28 June 2025, Cabello returned to managerial duties after being named in charge of Primera Federación side CD Eldense. On 19 October, however, he was sacked.

As of June 2026, ahead of the 2026–2027 season, Cabello was appointed the manager of Croatian Football League club Istra 1961.

Managerial statistics

— Cultural Leonesa18 June 201411 July 2015 Alavés (interim)18 September 201723 September 2017 Alavés (interim)27 November 20171 December 2017 Istra 19619 June 2026Total —