José Francisco Molina

International career Molina made his Spain national team debut as an outfield player against Norway on 24 April 1996 – a cameo appearance as a left winger, as all replacements had been made by coach Javier Clemente and Juan Manuel López retired injured.

He was then included in the squads for UEFA Euro 1996 and the 1998 FIFA World Cup, but had to wait until Euro 2000 for first-choice status, although he was dropped after a blunder in the opening 1–0 loss to Norway and did not play afterwards.

Coaching career In the 2009–10 campaign, Molina started a coaching career with Villarreal C of Tercera División. On 12 May 2011, he replaced the fired Javi Gracia at the helm of the reserves in the Segunda División as the team was seriously threatened with relegation.

Molina reached Villarreal's main squad on 22 December 2011, taking the place of sacked Juan Carlos Garrido. He was himself dismissed on 18 March of the following year after a 1–0 away loss against former club Levante, with the Yellow Submarine dangerously close to the relegation zone (17th).

In 2014, after leading Getafe CF B to the 14th place in the Segunda División B, Molina was appointed at Hong Kong's Kitchee SC. In his only season he managed win the domestic treble, also taking the team to the quarter-finals of the AFC Cup.

On 3 May 2016, Molina was announced as the head coach of Indian Super League side ATK, replacing countryman Antonio López Habas. On 14 November of the following year, he was appointed at Ascenso MX club Atlético San Luis ahead of the Clausura tournament. He was relieved of his duties by the latter on 18 February 2018 after just two wins in 11 matches in all competitions, with his side in last position in the league.

In July 2018, Molina was appointed as sporting director of the Royal Spanish Football Federation, replacing Fernando Hierro who had resigned in the aftermath of Spain's performance at the 2018 FIFA World Cup. In December 2022, he left his position following a last-16 elimination at the 2022 World Cup at the hands of Morocco.

Molina signed as manager of Indian top-tier Mohun Bagan Super Giant on 11 June 2024, again taking over from López Habas. He led the club to both the national championship and the League Shield on his debut campaign.

On 26 November 2025, Molina left by mutual consent. The following February, he became head coach of the Honduras national team.

Career statistics

Managerial statistics

Honours Player Atlético Madrid La Liga: 1995–96 Supercopa de España: 2000, 2002

Individual Ricardo Zamora Trophy: 1995–96

Manager Kitchee Hong Kong Premier League: 2014–15

Mohun Bagan Indian Super League: 2024–25 Indian Super League Winners Shield: 2024–25 IFA Shield: 2025