Tomás Arnanz

Tomás Arnanz Arribas (29 December 1910 – 8 August 1957), also known as Tomasín, was a Spanish footballer who played as a forward for Real Zaragoza in the 1930s, and later a manager who oversaw the likes of Osasuna and Real Jaén in the 1950s, winning the Segunda División title with both sides.

Early life Tomás Arnanz was born on 29 December 1910 in the Province of Burgos town of in Castile and León, (Some sources wrongly state that he was born in Zaragoza.) and in the following week, on 20 March, he started in Zaragoza's first-ever match, helping his side to a 4–0 win over Valladolid. In the club's second-ever match, a friendly against Barcelona on 14 April, he scored a brace to help his side to a 3–1 win. He was Zaragoza's first-ever captain, In the following day, on 14 May, he made his managerial debut against Gimnástico, which ended in another 4–0 loss. so that he could follow in the footsteps of his friend Salas, who was succeeding at Barcelona, going even to the Catalan capital where he trained at Les Corts for several days, but even after his signing was announced, Zaragoza did not grant him a release, so he had no choice but to return home, losing the captaincy to Sebastián Municha.

Managerial career Real Zaragoza After his career as a player ended, Arnanz remained linked to Real Zaragoza, now as a coach, which he oversaw between 1939 and 1941, both in the top flight, thus becoming the club's first-ever La Liga coach. On 31 December 1939, Zaragoza played its first-ever New Year's Eve match, which ended in a 1–1 draw with Athletic Bilbao at the San Mamés. Due to a shortage in the squad caused by the War, Arnanz had to step onto the field occasionally, playing a total of two La Liga matches during the 1940–41 season.

Four years later, in 1945, he returned to the benches of Zaragoza for the third time, signing for 5,000 pesetas, which was ten times less than what previous managers had been paid due to the club's newly founded debt; however, a defeat in Torrero to Deportivo de La Coruña triggered a massive crisis that resulted in Tomás irrevocably resigning. In total, Arnanz led Zaragoza in 84 matches between 1934 and 1946, winning 30, drawing 16, and losing 38, for a winning ratio of 35,71%. On 8 June 1952, he was the subject of a tribute match.

Arnanz then took over Eldense, where he stayed for a single season, coaching a total of 23 matches in the second division, which remains the fourth-highest tally in the club's history.

Death Arnanz died on 8 August 1957, at the age of 46.

Honours As a player Real Zaragoza Segunda División: Runner-up (2): 1929 and 1935–36

As a manager Osasuna Segunda División: Champions (1): 1952–53

Real Jaén Segunda División: Champions (1): 1955–56