1. Overview
Anacleto José María Peña Salegui was a Spanish professional footballer and manager, as well as a decorated athlete. He was born in Las Arenas, where he began his football career as a midfielder with Arenas Club de Getxo. He later gained prominence playing for Real Madrid CF. Beyond football, Peña was a talented athlete, winning several medals in various disciplines at the Spanish Athletics Championships. After concluding his playing career, he transitioned into football management, leading several Spanish clubs.
2. Early Life and Background
Anacleto José María Peña Salegui was born on 9 April 1895, in Las Arenas, a town in the Basque Country of Spain. He began his football journey at a young age, joining Arenas Club de Getxo in 1913. During his formative years at the club, his elder brother, Florencio, was also a teammate, indicating a family connection to the sport.
3. Football Career
Peña enjoyed a long and successful career in professional football, excelling first as a player and later transitioning into management roles for various Spanish clubs.
3.1. Playing Career
Peña's playing career was marked by significant achievements at both club and international levels, primarily as a midfielder.
3.1.1. Arenas Club de Getxo
Peña started his professional football career as a midfielder with Arenas Club de Getxo in 1913. During his tenure with the club, he contributed to considerable team successes. Arenas Getxo won the Biscay Championship four times. He was also part of the team that secured the Copa del Rey title in the 1919 season. Additionally, Peña experienced the disappointment of being a losing finalist in the Copa del Rey on two occasions, in 1917 and 1925.
3.1.2. Real Madrid CF
In 1926, Peña moved to Madrid and signed with Real Madrid CF, where he played for six years until 1932. During his time with Real Madrid, the club won four Centre regional championships. He also collected two more runners-up medals in the Copa del Rey finals of 1929 and 1930. Although the team claimed their first La Liga title in the 1931-32 season, Peña, who was 36 years old by its conclusion, made only four appearances, and it remains unclear whether he is officially considered to have won this particular honor.
3.1.3. International Career
Peña's talent extended to the international stage, where he represented the Spain national football team. He earned 21 caps for the national side. A notable highlight of his international career was his participation in the 1924 Summer Olympics, where he featured as a midfielder for the Spanish squad.
3.2. Managerial Career
Following the conclusion of his playing days, Peña transitioned into coaching, taking on managerial roles at several Spanish football clubs.
3.2.1. Early Coaching
Peña began his coaching career at Celta Vigo, where he managed the club in the second tier of Spanish football. This marked the start of his post-playing professional life, allowing him to apply his extensive football knowledge from a new perspective.
3.2.2. Major Coaching Activities
Peña's managerial career saw him take charge of several clubs, including Sporting Gijón and his former club, Arenas Club de Getxo, each for two separate spells. He also managed in the top division for two seasons. One of these was with Real Oviedo in the 1935-36 season, where he guided the team to a commendable 3rd-place finish, just before the widespread disruption caused by the Spanish Civil War. His second top-division stint came with Sporting Gijón (then known as Real Gijón) in the 1946-47 season, where the team finished 10th out of 14 teams.
4. Athletics Career
Beyond his significant contributions to football, Peña was also a distinguished athlete in track and field, showcasing his versatility and athletic prowess across multiple disciplines.
4.1. Spanish Athletics Championships
Peña achieved notable success at the Spanish Athletics Championships, earning multiple medals in various events:
- In the 1918 edition, he won a silver medal in the 400 metres event.
- At the 1923 edition, he secured a silver medal in the Javelin throw and bronze medals in the 200 metres, 110 metres hurdles, and the 4 × 400 metres relay.
- In the 1925 championships, he claimed gold medals in both the 400 metres hurdles and the 4 × 400 metres relay.
- His final recorded medals came in the 1926 edition, where he won a gold medal in the 110 metres hurdles and a bronze medal in the 4 × 400 metres relay.
5. Personal Life
Anacleto José María Peña Salegui's personal life remains largely private in publicly available records, with details primarily focused on his extensive sporting career. His family connections include his elder brother, Florencio Peña, who was also a professional footballer and his teammate at Arenas Club de Getxo during his early playing years.
6. Death
Anacleto José María Peña Salegui passed away on 13 January 1989, in his hometown of Las Arenas, Spain.
7. Assessment and Legacy
Anacleto José María Peña Salegui is remembered as a remarkable figure in Spanish sports history, having achieved significant success in two distinct athletic fields: professional football and track and field. His dual career highlights his exceptional versatility and dedication. As a footballer, he was a key player for both Arenas Club de Getxo, contributing to a Copa del Rey victory, and Real Madrid CF, where he won multiple regional championships. His 21 appearances for the Spain national football team, including participation in the 1924 Summer Olympics, further solidify his legacy as a prominent player. As a manager, he demonstrated his leadership abilities by guiding teams in both the top and second tiers of Spanish football. Simultaneously, his numerous medals at the Spanish Athletics Championships underscore his status as a multi-talented athlete. Peña's career serves as a testament to his enduring impact on Spanish sports.