Juan Antonio Larrañaga


Juan Antonio Larrañaga Gurruchaga is a Spanish retired footballer who played as a defender.

Club career

Larrañaga was born in Azpeitia, Gipuzkoa, Basque Country. He started playing as a defensive midfielder, being signed by Real Sociedad in 1977 from local CD Lagun Onak. In January 1980 he made his first-team debut in the Copa del Rey, against Navarre neighbours Peña Sport FC.
Although he appeared sparingly in the 1980–81 season, as Real won the first of their two consecutive titles, Larrañaga did take the field in the decisive draw at Sporting de Gijón in the last round, and featured in all the matches in the following campaign whilst adding two goals. From 1986 to 1992, he only missed a combined two La Liga games; after manager John Toshack was appointed, he began playing as a sweeper.
Larrañaga retired at 36 at the end of 1993–94, having made 460 top-flight appearances. He was the only player of the league-winning sides to have played in the club's two grounds: Atotxa and Anoeta.

International career

Larrañaga won one cap for Spain, playing the entire 1–2 friendly defeat against Czechoslovakia on 24 February 1988, in Málaga. He also appeared four times for the under-21 team.

Post-retirement

After retiring, Larrañaga took up coaching, but only in the lower leagues. He also appeared as a commentator for ETB 1, which lasted until the end of the 2005–06 season.
From 2006 to 2008, Larrañaga served as the youth coordinator of his only professional club, being fired at the end of the second division campaign.

Honours