Juan Ramón López Muñiz

Juan Ramón López Muñiz (born 2 November 1968) is a Spanish former professional footballer who played as a central defender. He also worked as a manager.

Playing career Muñiz was born in Gijón, Asturias. During his playing days, he represented hometown club Sporting Gijón (making his first-team debut in the 1991–92 season, at already 23), Rayo Vallecano – scoring four goals from 40 appearances during 1998–99, which granted the Madrid side La Liga promotion via the playoffs even though they finished fifth – and Numancia.

Muñiz retired at the end of the 2001–02 campaign at the age of 33, as the team from Soria could only finish in 17th position in the Segunda División. In 11 years as a professional, he appeared in 332 games and scored ten times (234 matches and six goals in the top flight).

Coaching career Muñiz started as an assistant manager at Málaga in 2003, under Juande Ramos. His first head coach experience arrived in early 2006 with lowly Marbella, and he subsequently returned to Málaga as the main manager for two seasons, achieving a runner-up place in 2008 and thus promoting the Andalusians to the top tier after a two-year hiatus.

In July 2008, Muñiz switched to Racing Santander in the same league. At the season's end, he was released from contract and promptly returned to Málaga, replacing Antonio Tapia who took over relegated neighbours Real Betis.

In late June 2010, having led Málaga to the 17th position, last above the relegation zone, Muñiz was sacked. Shortly after, he rejoined Ramos at Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk.

Muñiz was appointed Alcorcón manager on 8 June 2015, after four years in Ukraine. Roughly one year later, he signed with fellow division two club Levante, achieving promotion at the first attempt as champions.

On 20 June 2018, Muñiz returned to Málaga for a third spell by agreeing to a two-year contract. He was dismissed the following 14 April, following a 1–2 home loss against Extremadura.

On 5 July 2020, after more than a year without a club, Muñiz took charge of Alavés in the top division until the end of the campaign.

Managerial statistics

+ Managerial record by team and tenure TeamNatFromToRecord Marbella7 April 200631 October 2006 Málaga31 October 200630 June 2008 Racing Santander1 July 200820 June 2009 Alavés5 July 202021 July 2020 Career total —

Honours Levante Segunda División: 2016–17

Individual Miguel Muñoz Trophy (Segunda División): 2016–17