1. Overview
Fernando Quirarte Gutiérrez (Fernando Quirarte GutiérrezFernando Quirarte GutiérrezSpanish) is a Mexican former professional footballer and manager. He primarily played as a centre-back throughout his extensive playing career, most notably with Guadalajara for 14 years. Quirarte also represented the Mexico national team, participating in major international tournaments, including the 1986 FIFA World Cup. Following his retirement as a player, he transitioned into coaching, managing several prominent Mexican clubs.
2. Early Life and Career
Fernando Quirarte Gutiérrez was born on May 17, 1956, in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. He began his football journey within the youth system of C.D. Guadalajara, a prominent club in his hometown. His development through the club's ranks prepared him for a professional career, leading to his promotion to the senior team in 1973.
3. Playing Career
Fernando Quirarte had a distinguished playing career spanning nearly two decades, primarily as a central defender. He played for three different clubs in Mexico and was a key member of the Mexico national team.
3.1. Club Career
Quirarte spent the majority of his playing career with C.D. Guadalajara, where he played from 1973 to 1987. During his fourteen seasons with the club, he made 274 appearances and scored 20 goals as a centre-back. His tenure at Guadalajara established him as a significant figure for the team.
After leaving Guadalajara in 1987, Quirarte moved to Atlas, another club based in Guadalajara. He played for Atlas for one season, making 31 appearances and scoring 3 goals. In 1988, he transferred to UdeG (Club Leones Negros de la Universidad de Guadalajara), where he played for two seasons until his retirement in 1990. At UdeG, he recorded 50 appearances and scored 3 goals.
3.2. National Team Career
Fernando Quirarte was an integral part of the Mexico national football team from 1981 to 1988. He earned a total of 45 caps for his country, scoring 5 goals. His most notable international participation came during the 1986 FIFA World Cup, which was hosted by Mexico. In this tournament, Quirarte scored two goals, contributing to Mexico's performance on the global stage.
3.3. International Goals
Scores and results list Mexico's goal tally first.
| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | August 11, 1984 | Friedrich-Ludwig-Jahn-Sportpark, East Berlin, East Germany | East Germany | 1-1 | 1-1 | Friendly |
| 2. | June 3, 1986 | Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, Mexico | Belgium | 1-0 | 2-1 | 1986 FIFA World Cup |
| 3. | June 11, 1986 | Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, Mexico | Iraq | 1-0 | 1-0 | 1986 FIFA World Cup |
| 4. | April 28, 1987 | Estadio Nemesio Díez, Toluca, Mexico | Bahamas | 9-0 | 13-0 | Friendly |
| 5. | February 2, 1987 | Santa Ana Stadium, Santa Ana, United States | Guyana | ?-0 | 9-0 | Friendly |
4. Managerial Career
After retiring as a player in 1990, Fernando Quirarte transitioned into a coaching career, managing several clubs in the Mexican football league.
He began his managerial career in 1999 with Santos Laguna, where he remained until 2002. Following his tenure at Santos Laguna, he took over as manager of Atlas in 2002, coaching the team until 2004. From 2004 to 2006, Quirarte managed Jaguares de Chiapas.
On October 4, 2011, Quirarte was appointed as the manager of his former club, Chivas de Guadalajara. This appointment came after Chivas had been experiencing a difficult period, having lost 1-0 to Querétaro and extending their winless streak to four matches in Mexico's Apertura championship under the previous coach, Jose Luis Real. Quirarte's role at Guadalajara lasted until 2012.
5. Personal Life
Information regarding Fernando Quirarte's personal life, family, and interests outside of his football career is limited in publicly available sources. He is primarily known for his extensive contributions to Mexican football as both a player and a manager.
6. Legacy and Impact
Fernando Quirarte Gutiérrez is recognized as a significant figure in Mexican football history. His long and distinguished playing career, particularly his fourteen years as a central defender for C.D. Guadalajara, solidified his status as a club legend. His participation in the Mexico national team, including scoring two goals in the 1986 FIFA World Cup, further cemented his legacy as a prominent international player. As a manager, he led several notable Mexican clubs, demonstrating his continued commitment to the sport after his playing days. His career reflects a deep and lasting impact on Mexican football, both on and off the field.