Real Zaragoza facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Real Zaragoza

Full name	Real Zaragoza, S.A.D.
Nickname(s)	Los Maños Los Blanquillos
Founded	18 March 1932; 93 years ago (1932-03-18)
Ground	Estadio de La Romareda
Ground Capacity	33,608
Owner	Pablo Jiménez de Parga Amber Capital Jeber Barreto
President	Jorge Mas Santos
Head coach	Víctor Fernández
League	Segunda División
2022–23	Segunda División, 13th of 22
Home colours Away colours Third colours

Real Zaragoza, S.A.D. (Spanish pronunciation: [reˈal θaɾaˈɣoθa]), commonly referred to as Zaragoza, is a football club based in Zaragoza, Aragon, Spain, that currently competes in the Segunda División, the second tier of the Spanish league system. Zaragoza holds its home games at La Romareda.

Founded on 18 March 1932, the club has spent the majority of its history in La Liga, although they have not played at that level since they were last relegated in 2013. They have won the Copa del Rey six times, 1963–64 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup and the 1994–95 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, amongst other trophies. Traditionally, their team colours are white shirts and socks with royal blue shorts.

A government survey in 2007 found that 2.7% of the Spanish population support Real Zaragoza, making them the seventh-most supported in the country.

The club's main rivals are: SD Huesca, their opponents in the Aragonese derby; CD Numancia, from the nearby Province of Soria; and CA Osasuna, the largest club in the neighbouring Navarre region.

History

Early years

Real Zaragoza was originally formed from two rival teams: Iberia SC and Real Zaragoza CD. In 1939, after three years without football due to the Spanish Civil War, the team made its first appearance in La Liga, ending in 7th position out of 12 teams, but being relegated in 1941. The club returned to the top division one year later, only to be immediately relegated back. It remained in Segunda División until the end of the 1950–51 campaign, when it achieved promotion by finishing second in a play-off league.

On 8 September 1957, the team left its original stadium, El Torrero, for its current stadium, La Romareda.

The golden era

Beginning in the 1960–61 season, Zaragoza enjoyed a period of great success, showcasing some of the greatest players playing in Spain during that decade, which earned for themselves the designation of Los Magníficos. While the team failed to capture the league title, it finished in the top five every year until 1968–69, with two third-place finishes, and also won its first two Copa del Rey titles and the 1963–64 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup.

Zaragoza's famous attacking line included Canário, Carlos Lapetra, Marcelino, Eleuterio Santos and Juan Manuel Villa. The Peruvian Juan Seminario, who started his career in Spain with Los Maños before moving to Barcelona, won the Pichichi Trophy in the 1961–62 campaign, scoring 25 goals in 30 matches as Zaragoza finished in fourth position.

1970s to the end of the century

The starting XI in the 1995 Cup Winners' Cup final

Zaragoza finished third in 1973–74 and a best-ever second in the following season, losing the title in the last round to Real Madrid. The club was also defeated 0–1 in the 1976 domestic cup final against Atlético Madrid, spending two seasons in the second level during the decade, with promotion at the first attempt on either occasion.

In 1986, Zaragoza won its third Copa del Rey, defeating Barcelona 1–0. The club finished the 1990–91 season in 17th position, thus having to appear in the promotion/relegation play-offs against Real Murcia; on 19 June 1991, after a 0–0 away draw, a 5–2 home win meant the team managed to maintain its top level status.

Víctor Fernández was appointed manager in 1991. On 10 May 1995, one year after winning the Copa del Rey against Celta de Vigo, Zaragoza won the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup against Arsenal at the Parc des Princes, Paris, after having disposed of the likes of Feyenoord and Chelsea en route. With the score level at 1–1, the two teams entered extra time and, in the 120th minute, Nayim hit a half-volley from just past the halfway line, putting it beyond the reach of goalkeeper David Seaman for the final 2–1. The club then contested the 1995 UEFA Super Cup against Ajax, losing 1–5 on aggregate despite a home draw in the first leg. Víctor Fernández was dismissed from his post in early November 1996, after only winning one league match that season.

The 21st century

Players celebrate a goal by Hélder Postiga during the 2012–13 season.

Chart of Real Zaragoza league performance 1929–2023

The 2000s brought a further two Copa del Rey titles to Zaragoza's trophy cabinet, including the 2003–04 edition against Real Madrid in Barcelona (3–2 after extra time). However, the club also suffered top flight relegation in 2002 after narrowly avoiding so the previous season, but achieved immediate promotion in 2003. In late May 2006, Agapito Iglesias purchased Alfonso Solans' shares and took control of the club, promising to build one of the strongest teams in Spain and Europe. In his first year in charge, he purchased Pablo Aimar from Valencia for €11 million, and former manager Víctor Fernández also returned to the club.

Mainly due to Diego Milito's 23 goals in 2006–07 (he finished third to Roma's Francesco Totti and Real Madrid's Ruud van Nistelrooy – 26 and 25 goals, respectively – in the European Golden Shoe race), Real Zaragoza finished in sixth position, thus qualifying to the UEFA Cup. However, the following season ended in relegation (18th position among 20 teams with only 10 wins in 38 matches, among them only 1 away win in 19 games) – for the second time in the decade – with the side also being eliminated in the first round in European competition. Legendary club coach Víctor Fernández returned for a second spell, although he was sacked in January 2008, as the club had four managers during the campaign. On the last matchday, a brace from Ricardo Oliveira proved insufficient in a 2–3 away loss against Mallorca, with the team totalling 42 points to Osasuna's 43.

Zaragoza achieved promotion from the second division at the first attempt. On the last matchday, on 20 June 2009, the team drew 2–2 at Rayo Vallecano with goals from youth graduate David Generelo and ex-Real Madrid defender Francisco Pavón, only trailing champions Xerez in the table. Nevertheless, that season Zaragoza was the best team at home, gained 50 from their 81 points in home games. However, after four seasons mainly spent in the bottom half of the table, Zaragoza was relegated following the 2012–13 Liga season after finishing last.

In April 2022, the purchase of 51% of the shares of the SAD by an international investment fund led by Jorge Mas was disclosed.

Seasons

Season to season

• 58 seasons in La Liga
• 28 seasons in Segunda División
• 4 seasons in Tercera División

Current squad

No. Position Player 1 GK Cristian Álvarez (captain) 2 DF Marcos Luna 3 DF Jair Amador 4 DF Dani Tasende 5 DF Enrique Clemente (on loan from Las Palmas) 6 MF Keidi Bare 7 FW Mario Soberón 8 MF Marc Aguado 9 FW Iván Azón 10 MF Sergio Bermejo 11 FW Samed Baždar 12 DF Sebastián Kóša 13 GK Gaëtan Poussin

No. Position Player 14 MF Francho Serrano 15 DF Bernardo Vital 17 DF Carlos Nieto 19 DF Iván Calero 20 FW Adu Ares (on loan from Athletic Bilbao) 21 MF Toni Moya 22 FW Alberto Marí (on loan from Valencia) 23 MF Ager Aketxe 24 DF Lluís López 25 GK Joan Femenías 26 MF Gori Gracia 33 FW Adrián Liso 38 DF Andrés Borge

Reserve team

No. Position Player 29 FW Pau Sans 31 DF Juan Carlos Sabater

No. Position Player 35 GK Guillermo Acín 40 GK Carlos Calavia

Out on loan

No. Position Player DF Juan Sebastián (at Alcorcón until 30 June 2025) MF Alberto Vaquero (at Lugo until 30 June 2025) FW Luis Carbonell (at Ejea until 30 June 2025)

No. Position Player FW Sergi Enrich (at Huesca until 30 June 2025) FW Sinan Bakış (at Górnik Zabrze until 30 June 2025)

Current technical staff

Position	Staff
Head coach	Víctor Fernández
Assistant coach	David Navarro
Technical assistant coach	Javi Suárez
Goalkeeping coach	Mikel Insausti
Fitness coach	Miguel Lampre
Analyst GPS	Pablo Quílez
Delegate	Alberto Belsué
Doctor	Ireneo De los Mártires
Rehab fitness coach	Andrés Ubieto
Physiotherapist	Juan Carlos Palacio David Lahoz Jesús Dueñas Ignacio Cortés Daniel Pardos
Kit man	Antonio Hernández Francisco Remiro
Podiatrist	Carlos Martín
Nutritionist	Raúl Luzón

Honours

League

• Segunda División
  • Winners: 1977–78

Cups

• Copa del Rey
  • Winners: 1963–64, 1965–66, 1985–86, 1993–94, 2000–01, 2003–04
• Supercopa de España
  • Winners: 2004

International

• UEFA Cup Winners' Cup
  • Winners: 1994–95
• Inter-Cities Fairs Cup
  • Winners: 1963–64

Records

Club

• Best La Liga position: 2nd (1974–75)
• Worst La Liga position: 20th (2001–02)
• Overall La Liga historical classification: 9th
• Greatest home win: Real Zaragoza 8–1 Español (1978–79), Real Zaragoza 8–1 Sevilla (1987–88)
• Greatest away win: Elche 2–7 Real Zaragoza (1960–61)
• Greatest home defeat: Real Zaragoza 1–7 Real Madrid (1987–88)
• Greatest away defeat: Athletic Bilbao 10–1 Real Zaragoza (1951–52)

Player

• Most matches: Xavier Aguado (473)
• Most minutes: Xavier Aguado (33,480)
• Most goals all-time: Marcelino (117)
• Most goals in one season: Ewerthon (28, 2008–09)
• Foreign player with most appearances: Gustavo Poyet (239)
• Red cards: Xavier Aguado (18)

Notable players

Note: this list includes players that have appeared in at least 100 league games and/or have reached international status.

Coaches

Dates Name March 1932 – June 1932 Elías Sauca June 1932 – April 1934 Felipe dos Santos April 1934 – July 1934 Tomás Arnanz July 1934 – June 1935 Francisco González July 1935 – March 1936 José Planas March 1936 – July 1939 Manuel Olivares Aug 1939 – July 1941 Tomás Arnanz July 1941 – Nov 1941 Francisco Gamborena Nov 1941 Julio Uriarte / Julio Ostalé Dec 1941 – June 1943 Jacinto Quincoces July 1943 – June 1945 Patricio Caicedo July 1945 – Dec 1945 Tomás Arnanz Dec 1945 – June 1946 Juan Ruiz July 1946 – June 1947 Manuel Olivares July 1947 – Jan 1948 Antonio Sorribas Jan 1948 – April 1948 Enrique Soladrero April 1948 – May 1948 Antonio Macheda July 1948 – Jan 1949 Francisco Bru Jan 1949 – June 1949 Isaac Oceja July 1949 – Feb 1950 Juan Ruiz Feb 1950 – June 1950 José Planas July 1950 – April 1951 Luis Urquiri April 1951 – Oct 1951 Juan Ruiz Oct 1951 – Oct 1952 Elemér Berkessy Oct 1952 José Luis Conde Nov 1952–53 Domingo Balmanya 1953–54 Pedro Eguiluz 1954 – June 1956 Mundo July 1956 – Feb 1958 Jacinto Quincoces Feb 1958 – June 1958 Casariego July 1958 – Dec 1959 Juan Otxoantezana Dec 1959 – June 1960 Mundo June 1960 Rosendo Hernández

Dates Name July 1960 – June 1963 César Rodríguez July 1963 – June 1964 Antoni Ramallets June 1964 Luis Belló July 1964 – June 1965 Roque Olsen July 1965 – Feb 1966 Luis Hon Feb 1966 – June 1967 Ferdinand Daučík June 1967 Andrés Lerín July 1967 – Nov 1968 Roque Olsen Nov 1968 – June 1969 César Rodríguez July 1969 – June 1970 Héctor Rial July 1970 – Oct 1970 Cheché Martín Oct 1970 – Jan 71 Domingo Balmanya Jan 1971 – Jun e1971 José Luis García Traid July 1971 – Oct 1971 Rosendo Hernández Oct 1971 Juan Jugo Larrauri Oct 1971 – June 1972 Rafael Iriondo July 1972 – June 1976 Carriega July 1976 – June 1977 Lucien Muller July 1977 – June 1978 Arsenio Iglesias July 1978 – June 1979 Vujadin Boškov June 1979 – March 1981 Manolo Villanova March 1981 – June 1984 Leo Beenhakker July 1984 – June 1985 Enzo Ferrari July 1985 – Dec 1987 Luis Costa Dec 1987 – June 1988 Manolo Villanova July 1988 – June 1990 Radomir Antić July 1990 – March 1991 Ildo Maneiro March 1991 – Nov 1996 Víctor Fernández Nov 1996 – Jan 1997 Víctor Espárrago Jan 1997 – June 1998 Luis Costa July 1998 – June 2000 Chechu Rojo July 2000 – Oct 2000 Juan Manuel Lillo Oct 2000 – June 2001 Luis Costa

Dates Name July 2001 – Jan 2002 Chechu Rojo Jan 2002 – March 2002 Luis Costa March 2002 – June 2002 Marcos Alonso June 2002 – Jan 2004 Paco Flores Jan 2004 – June 2006 Víctor Muñoz July 2006 – Jan 2008 Víctor Fernández Jan 2008 Ander Garitano Jan 2008 – March 2008 Javier Irureta March 2008 – June 2008 Manolo Villanova July 2008 – Dec 2009 Marcelino Dec 2009 – Nov 2010 José Aurelio Gay Nov 2010 – Dec 2011 Javier Aguirre Jan 2012 – June 2013 Manolo Jiménez June 2013 – March 2014 Paco Herrera March 2014 – Nov 2014 Víctor Muñoz Nov 2014 – Dec 2015 Ranko Popović Dec 2015 – June 2016 Lluís Carreras June 2016 – Oct 2016 Luis Milla Oct 2016 – March 2017 Raül Agné March 2017 – June 2017 César Láinez June 2017 – June 2018 Natxo González June 2018 – Oct 2018 Imanol Idiakez Oct 2018 – Dec 2018 Lucas Alcaraz Dec 2018 – Aug 2020 Víctor Fernández Aug 2020 – Nov 2020 Rubén Baraja Nov 2020 – Dec 2020 Iván Martínez Dec 2020 – May 2022 Juan Ignacio Martínez May 2022 – Nov 2022 Juan Carlos Carcedo Nov 2022 – Nov 2023 Fran Escribá Nov 2023 – Julio Velázquez

See also

In Spanish: Real Zaragoza para niños

• List of football clubs in Spain