Javier Calleja


Javier Calleja Revilla is a Spanish retired footballer who played mainly as a left midfielder, and a current manager.
He amassed La Liga totals of 192 matches and nine goals over one full decade, mainly with Villarreal and Osasuna. He also represented Málaga in the competition, in a professional career which lasted 16 years.

Playing career

After growing unsuccessfully through the ranks of Real Madrid and making his professional debut with lowly UD Almería, Alcalá de Henares-born Calleja was bought by Villarreal CF, but spent some months with its farm team CD Onda. He made his first-team debut in the second division, playing nine games in the 1999–2000 campaign as the side returned to La Liga and contributing with one goal, in the 1–3 away loss against CA Osasuna.
In his first three seasons in that tier, Calleja was a very important member for the Yellow Submarine, scoring four goals in 35 matches in 2001–02. On 5 April 2003, he netted a penalty kick as a late substitute in a 2–0 home win over FC Barcelona, dedicating the goal to his mother who had died hours before; however, the emergence of Santi Cazorla and two consecutive serious knee injuries limited him to just 25 appearances the following three campaigns combined.
In 2006–07, Calleja left Villarreal joining Málaga CF. He was an instant first-choice in Andalusia, making 38 appearances in his second season as the club returned to the top flight after a two-year.
After a serious injury to teammate Adriano Rossato, Calleja spent much of the following campaign playing as left back. On 12 June 2009, after his contract with Málaga expired, he moved to Osasuna in a 2+1 years deal.

Coaching career

In September 2012, 34-year-old Calleja announced his retirement and immediately returned to his former club Villarreal, being appointed manager of the youth sides. On 9 May 2017, he replaced Paco López at the helm of the reserves.
On 25 September 2017, Calleja was named manager of the first team in the place of fired Fran Escribá. In his first season he led them to the fifth position, with the subsequent qualification to the group stage of the UEFA Europa League. On 20 May 2018, he extended his contract.
On 10 December 2018, with the side just three points above the relegation zone and having managed only one win in the last nine league fixtures, Calleja was dismissed. On 29 January 2019, however, he was reinstated in the post following the sacking of Luis García. He left in July 2020, after a late run of form won the team a fifth-place finish and European qualification.

Managerial statistics

Honours

Player

Villarreal