Javier Olaizola

Javier Olaizola Rodríguez (born 28 November 1969) is a Spanish former professional footballer who played as a right-back, currently a manager.

Most of his 13-year career was spent with Mallorca, with whom he appeared in 333 competitive matches and won two major titles.

Playing career Born in San Sebastián, Gipuzkoa, Olaizola's first professional club was SD Eibar in his native Basque Country, in the Segunda División. Subsequently, he played two seasons with Real Burgos CF, going on to suffer two consecutive relegations and returning for a second spell with his previous team afterwards. and helping the Balearic Islands side to the 1998 edition of the Supercopa de España against La Liga giants FC Barcelona, as well as a second place in the following year's UEFA Cup Winners' Cup. His only goal in the top flight and as a professional came on 17 December 2000, as he scored a last-minute equaliser at RC Celta de Vigo (2–2).

Coaching career Olaizola totalled only 27 matches in his last two years, due to several injuries and age, and retired aged 34. He then had brief spells as manager, with Mallorca's youth teams and Antiguoko (also a youth club, in the Basque region).

On 6 December 2016, following Fernando Vázquez's dismissal, Olaizola – who was in charge of the reserves – became coach of Mallorca, who now competed in the second tier. He was himself sacked the following 4 April, after his side was seriously threatened with relegation.

Olaizola returned to reserve management on 6 March 2018, taking over Atlético Levante UD of Tercera División. Four months later, having won their group and then promotion on penalties against UD Ibiza in the play-off final, he left.

In June 2019, Olaizola was appointed at Arenas Club de Getxo in the Segunda División B. In summer 2022, after a very short spell with CD Tudelano, he returned to Arenas, now in the Segunda Federación.

Personal life Olaizola's older brother, Julio (19 years his senior), was also a footballer and a defender. He played ten top-flight seasons with Real Sociedad.

Managerial statistics

Honours Mallorca Copa del Rey: 2002–03; runner-up: 1997–98 Supercopa de España: 1998 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup runner-up: 1998–99