Julián Rubio

Julián Rubio Sánchez (born 28 January 1952) is a Spanish former football midfielder and manager.

He appeared in 134 La Liga matches over six seasons (14 goals), mainly in representation of Sevilla. His professional career was closely associated to Albacete Balompié, with which he played and worked in several capacities.

Playing career Born in Montealegre del Castillo, Province of Albacete, Rubio started playing for local club Albacete Balompié. He made his senior debut with Ontinyent CF, spending two of his three seasons in the Segunda División, then switched to Sevilla FC in the same league, promoting to La Liga in 1975.

Rubio made his debut in the top flight on 6 September 1975, playing the full 90 minutes in a 3–0 home win against UD Las Palmas, and finished his first year with 26 games (all starts) and three goals as the Andalusians ranked in 11th position. After three more seasons, always as first choice, he signed with FC Barcelona. Polideportivo Ejido, Ciudad de Murcia and Cádiz CF; additionally, late into 1999–2000 with Albacete, he had to take a forced one-month break from coaching to undergo surgery due to a serious illness. leaving the club – who would be eventually relegated due to financial irregularities – in late November. He was appointed at Albacete the following month in substitution of José Murcia, and both coaches and a third one, David Vidal, were in charge for 14 matches as they eventually retained their status.

On 21 June 2011, Rubio became the first Spaniard to coach in the Albanian Superliga, joining KF Tirana on a one-year contract. He helped the team to that season's Albanian Supercup, a 1–0 win over KF Skënderbeu Korçë, adding the Albanian Cup the following year against those rivals and defeating the same opposition in the 2012 Supercup.

On 7 June 2012, Rubio was due to extend his link with Tirana. Both parties failed to reach an agreement, however, and he eventually left for another club in the country, Flamurtari FC.