Jesús María Pereda

Jesús María Pereda Ruiz de Temiño (15 June 1938 – 27 September 2011), also known as Chus Pereda, was a Spanish football midfielder and manager.

In a 16-year professional career, he played mainly for Barcelona, amassing La Liga totals of 197 matches and 55 goals for four teams – including Real Madrid. In 1964 he helped Spain win the European Championship, being an international throughout the decade.

After retiring, Pereda was in charge of several Spain youth teams, including the under-20 and the under-21 teams.

Club career Although born in Medina de Pomar, Province of Burgos, Castile and León, Pereda was raised in Balmaseda in Biscay, and, as a schoolboy, he captained the provincial U-16 team. He began his senior career with Bilbao club SD Indautxu, where his teammates included veteran goalkeeper Raimundo Lezama and Miguel Jones – Pereda and Jones, and later a third player, José Eulogio Gárate, were all controversially rejected by Athletic Bilbao because of their birthplaces, with Pereda moving to Real Madrid and the others to Atlético Madrid.

With the Merengues, Pereda only appeared in two La Liga games, scoring once in a 3–0 home win against Real Zaragoza as the team won the national championship. During his spell in the Spanish capital, he was also loaned to Real Valladolid in Segunda División – after falling out with coach Luis Carniglia

Pereda joined FC Barcelona in summer 1961, going on to appear in 293 competitive matches during eight years (104 goals).

Aged 31, Pereda left Barcelona and joined Catalonia neighbours CE Sabadell FC, appearing rarely during the top flight season. He closed out his career after two second level campaigns with RCD Mallorca.

In 1995–96, Pereda had his first and only head coaching experience at club level, leading Xerez CD to the 11th position in Segunda División B.

During 15 years, Pereda managed both the Spain under-20 and under-21 teams, leading the former to the second place in the 1985 FIFA World Championship in the Soviet Union. In 1988, he was in charge of the Castile and León autonomous side for one game, a 1–1 draw with Aragon.

Death Pereda died in Barcelona on 27 September 2011 at the age of 73, from cancer.

Manager Spain U16 UEFA European Championship: 1988

Spain U20 FIFA U-20 World Cup: Runner-up 1985