1. Overview
Esteban Vigo Benítez (born 17 January 1955) is a Spanish former footballer who primarily played as a midfielder. He is currently a manager. Vigo spent the majority of his professional playing career with Málaga and Barcelona, accumulating a total of 240 games and 24 goals over 13 seasons in La Liga. Following his playing days, he transitioned into management in 1995, going on to coach numerous clubs, predominantly in Spain, with a notable stint in Romania. This article chronicles his journey from a promising footballer to a seasoned manager, highlighting his achievements and impact on Spanish football.
2. Early Life
Known as EstebanEstebanSpanish during his playing career, Esteban Vigo Benítez was born on 17 January 1955, in Vélez-Málaga, a town located in the Andalusia region of Spain. His early background in Vélez-Málaga set the foundation for his future athletic endeavors before he embarked on his professional football career.
3. Playing Career
Esteban Vigo's playing career spanned over a decade, primarily featuring as a midfielder for prominent Spanish clubs and representing the national team, including participation in the Summer Olympics.
3.1. Club Career
Vigo began his professional career with local club CD Málaga, where he contributed to their La Liga promotion in the 1976 season. His performances subsequently caught the attention of Spanish giants FC Barcelona, who signed him in December 1976 for 25.00 M ESP. He remained with Barcelona for a decade, although he was never an undisputed starter, making a maximum of 23 appearances in the 1980-81 season. During his time at Barcelona, he scored the winning goal in a 3-1 victory against Sporting de Gijón in the Copa del Rey final of that same season. In 1987, Esteban returned to his first club, CD Málaga, where he played for four more years before retiring at the age of 36.
3.2. International Career
Esteban Vigo earned three caps for the Spain national team over a two-month period in 1981, as the nation prepared for the 1982 FIFA World Cup. Despite his involvement in the preparatory phase, he ultimately did not make the final squad for the World Cup. He also represented Spain at the 1976 Summer Olympics.
4. Managerial Career
Transitioning into coaching, Esteban Vigo began his managerial career in 1995. His first professional coaching role was with UD Almería in his native Andalusia. He continued to work primarily in the Andalusian region, and also had a spell abroad in Romania with Dinamo București from 2005 to 2006.
In 2009, Vigo achieved a significant milestone by leading Xerez CD to their first-ever promotion to the top-tier La Liga. Despite this success, in July 2009, he moved to another Segunda División club, Hércules CF. There, he secured another promotion in the 2009-10 season, guiding the Alicante-based club back to the top flight after a 13-year absence, finishing as runner-up in the Segunda División.
Vigo's tenure at Hércules concluded on 21 March 2011, following a 0-4 home loss against CA Osasuna. This defeat marked the team's fourth consecutive loss of the season, during which they had only managed to secure one point out of a possible 15. On 4 April of the following year, he was named the new manager of UD Almería, succeeding Lucas Alcaraz.
In July 2012, Vigo returned for a second spell at Xerez CD, signing a two-year deal with an option for two additional years. However, he and his three assistants were dismissed the following February. At the time of his dismissal, Xerez was in last place in the league, trailing safety by seven points, and was eventually relegated at the end of the 2012-13 season.
On 17 February 2021, Esteban Vigo began his fourth managerial stint with Xerez CD. He guided the club to the promotion play-offs from Tercera División, but they were ultimately defeated by AD Ceuta FC. Following this loss, he departed from the club.
5. Personal Life and Other Activities
Outside of his professional football career, Esteban Vigo has engaged in other notable activities. He released his autobiography, titled Ganador (GanadorWinnerSpanish), on 13 September 2010.
6. Honours
Esteban Vigo achieved significant success throughout both his playing and managerial careers, securing numerous titles and promotions with various clubs.
6.1. Player
Barcelona
- La Liga: 1984-85
- Copa del Rey: 1977-78, 1980-81, 1982-83
- Supercopa de España: 1983
- Copa de la Liga: 1983, 1986
- UEFA Cup Winners' Cup: 1978-79, 1981-82
Málaga
- Segunda División: 1987-88
6.2. Manager
Xerez
- Segunda División: 2008-09
7. Assessment and Legacy
Esteban Vigo's career demonstrates a significant and enduring impact on Spanish football, both through his contributions as a midfielder and his subsequent leadership as a manager. As a player, his decade-long tenure at FC Barcelona and his key role in CD Málaga's promotion highlight his consistent performance and importance to the teams he represented. His participation in the 1976 Summer Olympics further underscores his recognition at the international level.
As a manager, Vigo is notably recognized for his ability to achieve promotions, most notably guiding Xerez CD to their first-ever La Liga appearance and leading Hércules CF back to the top flight after a considerable absence. These achievements cemented his reputation as a coach capable of elevating teams to higher divisions. Despite challenges and dismissals, his multiple returns to clubs like Xerez CD illustrate the trust and faith placed in his capabilities by those within the sport. His autobiography, Ganador, further solidifies his personal and professional narrative, providing insights into his career journey and philosophy. Overall, Esteban Vigo's legacy is marked by his dedication, perseverance, and significant contributions to the development and success of various Spanish football clubs.