Quick Facts
Biography
Baltasar Sánchez Martín (born 9 May 1962), commonly known as Balta, is a Spanish retired footballer who played as a central defender, and the current manager of Zamora CF.
Playing career
Born in Santander, Cantabria, Balta was a UD Salamanca youth graduate. After being promoted to the first team in 1984, he represented the club in both Segunda División and Segunda División B over the course of 11 seasons, appearing in 275 league matches and scoring 21 goals.
Balta was part of the squad that competed in La Liga in 1983–84, but failed to appear in any games. He retired in 1995 at the age of 33, after helping to promotion to the top flight.
Managerial career
Shortly after his retirement, Balta started working as an assistant manager at his only side, acting as an occasional interim coach. In March 2001 he was appointed at the main squad, but was sacked in October of the following year.
In November 2003 Balta was named Zamora CF manager, and led the side to the play-offs final in 2004, losing to CD Castellón. He was relieved of his duties in November 2005, and was appointed at the helm of Logroñés CF in the 2006 summer.
Balta was fired on 19 November 2007, after failing to win a single match in the campaign. In August 2009 he returned to Salamanca, now as a director of football.
On 12 April 2011 Balta was appointed manager of the Charros, replacing Pepe Murcia. He eventually suffered relegation from the second level and left his post on 14 November, returning to his previous staff role.