1. Early Life and Entry into Football
Julián Ruete's early life and initial foray into football laid the groundwork for his extensive career, beginning with his birth in Madrid and his subsequent involvement with the nascent football clubs of the city.
1.1. Birth and Early Life
Julián Ruete Muniesa was born on January 29, 1887, in Madrid, which was then part of the Kingdom of Spain. He spent his entire life in Madrid and the surrounding region, dedicating himself to the development of football within the city and across Spain.
1.2. Initial Football Involvement
Ruete's football career began around 1904. From 1904 to 1910, he was actively involved with Madrid Football Club, which later became known as Real Madrid. During this period, he served not only as a player but also as a dedicated member and secretary of the club's Board of Directors. His early engagement demonstrated his commitment to both the playing and administrative aspects of the sport from a young age.
2. Playing Career
Julián Ruete was a midfielder throughout his playing career, featuring for several prominent clubs in the early days of Spanish football, though his administrative roles would eventually overshadow his on-field achievements.
2.1. Real Madrid (Madrid FC)
Between 1904 and 1908, and again from 1909 to 1910, Ruete played for Madrid Football Club. While primarily a midfielder, he did not participate in any of the club's four consecutive Copa del Rey final victories between 1905 and 1908. Instead, he notably served as the captain of the reserve team, highlighting his leadership qualities even in his playing days.
2.2. Athletic Bilbao and Athletic de Madrid
Following his time at Madrid FC, Ruete's playing career extended to other significant clubs. He played for Athletic Bilbao from 1908 to 1909 and again from 1910 to 1911. During his stints with Athletic Bilbao, he featured in Copa del Rey matches, participating in the 1909 and 1911 editions of the competition. Athletic Bilbao won the Copa del Rey in the 1910-11 season, a title that is attributed to his playing career. After this, he also played for Athletic de Madrid from 1911 to 1912.
3. Club Presidency
Julián Ruete served two separate terms as president of Athletic de Madrid, a period marked by significant growth and modernization for the club.
3.1. First Term (1912-1919)
In 1912, Julián Ruete was first elected President of Athletic de Madrid, a position he held until 1919. His initial tenure was pivotal for the club's infrastructure. He was instrumental in securing the necessary funds and overseeing the construction of the club's new stadium, the Campo de O'Donnell, which opened in 1913. This stadium served as the home ground for Athletic de Madrid and was a major step in establishing the club's identity. During this period, he also began advocating for the club's independence from its parent club, Athletic Bilbao.
3.2. Second Term (1921-1923)
After a two-year hiatus, Ruete was re-elected president of Athletic de Madrid in 1921, serving until 1923. This second term saw even more significant advancements for the club. Under his leadership, Athletic de Madrid made substantial progress, including the construction of a more advanced new stadium, the Estadio Metropolitano de Madrid. Crucially, it was during this period that the club successfully achieved full independence from its original parent club, Athletic Bilbao. Furthermore, the club celebrated its first major regional title, winning the Campeonato Regional Centro in the 1920-21 season. This victory allowed Athletic de Madrid to participate in the Copa del Rey for the first time, where they surprisingly defeated Real Unión in the semi-finals before ultimately losing the final to their 'cousins' from Bilbao.
4. Refereeing Career
Beyond his roles in club management and playing, Julián Ruete also made pioneering contributions to the refereeing aspect of football in Spain, including establishing its foundational body and officiating key matches.
4.1. Establishment of the College of Referees
Ruete played a foundational role in the establishment of Spain's first official body for football referees. On April 15, 1914, he was among the five individuals who founded the College of Referees of the Central Regional Federation. This institution marked a significant step in formalizing and professionalizing refereeing in Spain. Ruete served as the College's first Secretary, but he resigned from this administrative position just a few weeks later, on May 19, 1914, to become one of the inaugural first-category referees. He also served as president of the Spanish Referee Association.
4.2. Notable Matches and Controversies
As a referee, Ruete officiated several important matches. He was the referee for the very first game of the Prince of Asturias Cup, an official inter-regional football competition contested by Spain's regional selections. This historic match took place at the Campo de O'Donnell on May 10, 1915, between the teams of Centro (a Castile/Madrid XI) and Catalonia, with Catalonia winning 2-1.
He also refereed the final of the 1917 Prince of Asturias Cup between Madrid and Catalonia. This match was marked by controversy. In the 70th minute, with the score already 2-0, the Catalan side had a goal disallowed because it was scored directly from a corner kick, a method not permitted under the rules at that time. Following intense protests from the Catalan team, Ruete sent off one of their players. In response to the decision and the sending off, the Catalan team controversially abandoned the match in protest.
5. Coaching Career
Julián Ruete extended his influence to the tactical side of football, serving as a coach for both club teams and the national squad.
5.1. Club Coaching and Technical Roles
Ruete's coaching career included spells at several clubs. He coached Atlético in 1922 and again from 1927 to 1928. He also coached Nacional and served as the technical secretary for Club Deportivo Castellón from 1930 to 1931, showcasing his expertise in various technical and coaching capacities within club football.
5.2. Spain National Team Management
One of his most notable coaching achievements was managing the Spain national football team. He held the managerial position between 1921 and 1922. During his tenure, he led the national team in four international matches, remarkably achieving victory in all four games.
6. Other Football Administration Roles
Beyond his roles as club president and referee, Julián Ruete contributed significantly to Spanish football's governance at a national level. He served as a director of the Royal Spanish Football Federation, a testament to his influence and involvement in the broader administrative framework of the sport in Spain.
7. Death
Julián Ruete Muniesa passed away on March 15, 1939, in Barcelona, Spain. He was 52 years old at the time of his death.
8. Legacy and Assessment
Julián Ruete's career demonstrates a profound and multifaceted engagement with Spanish football, leaving behind a legacy of pioneering development and occasional controversy.
8.1. Contributions to Spanish Football Development
Ruete's impact on Spanish football development was substantial and varied. As a club president for Athletic de Madrid, he was instrumental in two major infrastructure projects: the construction of the Campo de O'Donnell in 1913 and the more advanced Estadio Metropolitano de Madrid in the early 1920s. These stadiums provided modern facilities that were crucial for the growth and professionalization of the club. His leadership also facilitated Athletic de Madrid's independence from Athletic Bilbao, allowing it to forge its own distinct identity.
Beyond club management, Ruete was a trailblazer in establishing organized refereeing in Spain, co-founding the nation's first College of Referees and serving as its initial secretary. His brief but successful tenure as manager of the Spain national team, achieving a perfect winning record, further underscores his diverse capabilities. His administrative roles, including as a director of the Royal Spanish Football Federation, highlight his commitment to the sport's overarching governance. Ruete's comprehensive involvement across playing, coaching, refereeing, and administration made him a pivotal figure in shaping the early landscape of Spanish football.
8.2. Controversies and Historical Evaluation
Despite his significant contributions, Ruete's career was not without its controversial moments. The most notable incident occurred during the 1917 Prince of Asturias Cup final, where his decision to disallow a goal scored directly from a corner kick and subsequently send off a protesting Catalan player led to the opposing team abandoning the match. This event highlights the evolving rules of football at the time and the challenges faced by referees in interpreting and enforcing them.
Historically, Ruete is remembered as a pioneering and visionary figure who dedicated his life to Spanish football. While some of his decisions as a referee or administrator might have faced scrutiny, his overall impact, particularly in infrastructure development and institutional building, is widely regarded as positive. His multifaceted career, encompassing roles as a player, coach, referee, and high-level administrator, positions him as a unique and influential personality in the formative years of Spanish football in Spain.