Quick Facts
Biography
José Antonio Irulegui Garmendia (born 1 April 1937) is a Spanish retired footballer who played as a defender, and a coach.
Playing career
Born in Lasarte-Oria, Gipuzkoa, Basque Country, Irulegui played professional football with SD Eibar, Real Sociedad and Pontevedra CF, in a career that lasted 15 years. He amassed La Liga totals of 249 games and one goal, over the course of 11 seasons.
Irulegui retired in June 1971 at the age of 34, after one final campaign with the Galician club in Segunda División.
Coaching career
Irulegui worked as a manager for nearly three decades, starting with second level's Deportivo de La Coruña in 1973–74 (only five matches in charge, team relegation). He went on to coach Real Sociedad, RCD Español, Real Murcia, Real Burgos CF, Xerez CD, Levante UD, Deportivo Alavés, RCD Mallorca and Villarreal CF.
Irulegui led the last side to top flight promotion in the 1997–98 season, in the playoffs. He was relieved of his duties late into the following campaign, which ended in immediate relegation back.