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José Mari Bakero

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José Mari Bakero
Personal information
Position(s) Forward, Attacking Midfielder

José María Baquero Escudero (or Bakero)(born in Goizueta, Navarre, February 11 1963) was a Spanish footballer during the 1980s and 1990s. He played for Real Sociedad, FC Barcelona and Spain. He began his career as a forward but was not a prolific goalscorer and was converted into an attacking midfielder. He was an all round player being a good goalscorer, great passer and possessing an explosive shot and great leadership.

Bakero made his senior debut with Real Sociedad in 1980 when only 17. He played 160 games for Real during eight seasons and was a member of the team that won La Liga in 1981 and 1982. His team mates included Luis Arconada, Jesus Mari Zamora and Satrústegui. In 1988 he signed for FC Barcelona where he was joined by several other Basque players including Txiki Beguiristain, Julio Salinas and Ion Andoni Goikoetxea. They would form the backbone of the legendary Dream Team. Between 1988 and 1997, Bakero played 329 games for FC Barcelona in nine seasons. He also played for Spain, making 29 appearances and scoring 7 goals. After being released, he had unsuccessful trials with Middlesbrough FC and Norwich City in England in summer 1997. Before retiring as a player, he briefly played for CD Veracruz.

Bakero subsequently joined the coaching staff at FC Barcelona, working as an assistant with Llorenç Serra Ferrer and Louis Van Gaal. He has also since worked as a sports adviser with the Generalitat de Catalunya. In 2004/05 he coached Málaga CF B. In August 2005 he was appointed Director of Sport at Real Sociedad, and became first team coach towards the end of the 2005/06 season.

In June, 2008 he signed a manager contract with Romanian football team CS Otopeni.

Honours

Real Sociedad

FC Barcelona