José María Mateos

José María Mateos y Larrucea (31 March 1888 – 22 December 1963) was a Spanish journalist and football manager who served as the national coach of Spain for over a decade between 1922 and 1933. He was also president of the Athletic and football federations of Biscay.

Early life and education José María Mateos was born on 31 March 1888 in Bilbao as the son of an Andalusian military doctor, stationed in Bilbao and who remarried to Guillerma Larrucea from Bilbao, a woman from Bilbao. He was orphaned at a very young age, first his father died of a heart condition at the age of 54 and then when he was seven, in 1895, his mother died of pneumonia, so it was his three aunts, his mother's sisters (Dámasa, Vicenta and Estéfana), who carried out his education, very marked by the ethical, moral, and religious values, which accompanied him throughout his life.

Mateos studied at the Vizcaíno Institute and later the Escolapios, where he graduated in law, but never practiced law since his vocation led him towards journalism. After entering the University of Deusto in 1904 to train as an engineer, he abandoned those studies to dedicate himself fully to journalism. In fact, he never mentioned the Club Atleta de los Astilleros del Nervión, nor the Bilbao FC of 1892, two entities founded by British, perhaps due to simple ignorance, but according with historian Josu Turuzeta Zarraga, Mateos intentionally ignored its British background because he was "a Spanish patriot and a fervent Catholic". Surprisingly, he opted not to select any players from Barcelona despite their being crowned inaugural La Liga champions a month later. The British had played 22 games against teams from Continental Europe, winning 21 and drawing once, with 120 goals for and 28 against, In total, he coached 32 games, with 20 wins, 6 draws, and 6 losses for a winning percentage of 71.9%. When he described himself as a coach, Mateos stated "I am nothing more than an amateur, quite a veteran, with a very good desire and.....nothing more. My job as a coach gave me friendships among fans and fellow journalists".

Other endavours In addition to sports issues, he also put his social vocation into practice in positions such as that of member of the Orphan Asylum of Bilbao (1922) or secretary of the Provincial Anti-Tuberculosis Board of Biscay.

In the elections to the Bilbao City Council on 5 February 1922, Mateos was elected councilor for the Basque Nationalist-Communion party, representing the Gran Vía district. He maintained harsh debates about the Royal Cortina Decree and proposed the creation of schools of physical education.

Personal and later life In 1930, Mateos married María Purificación de Lacunza y Goiri, but they had no children.

On 10 April 1937, the news was made public that Mateos had been shot in Bilbao, but this news would not be true and months later, on 21 September, he was appointed sole Manager of the Biscayan Federation. On 14 September 1939, the Executive Commission of the National Sports Council met to appoint the Board of Directors of the RFEF, and Julián Troncoso, as the new president of the RFEF, appointed the territorial presidents as members, including Mateos.

In March 1946, Mateos was awarded the prize from the National Sports Delegation, for his work in favor of sports and particularly for his work as a sports critic; the prize was given to him by General Moscardo.

In 1950, Mateos published his most important work, Nueve años de seleccionador ("Nine Years as a Coach") (1950), where he recounted his experiences as the coach of the Spanish national team. He donated the benefits of this book in favor of the Biscayan footballers.

In 1952, the "José María Mateos" trophy was created, and on 28 June, he himself presented the cup to the captain of SD Indautxu, Pachi Urquiola, winner of the final against Barakaldo CF with a result of 1–0.

In December 1958, in the Basilica of Begoña, the Charity Cross was imposed on him as a tribute to his good work for the benefit of others. He also received a belated tribute from the press and sports, shortly before he died at his home, when, almost blind, it was already impossible for him to write.

Mateos reduced his journalistic activity due to a surgical intervention, in which a leg had to be amputated, and as a result of his illness he became blind, but even so, he continued to send articles to La Gaceta; he spoke and his wife wrote.

Death Mateos died in his home on Herao Street in Bilbao on 22 December 1963, at the age of 75. His funeral was a great demonstration, where all the Bilbotarras said their last goodbye.