Quick Facts
Biography
José Joaquín Moreno Verdú (born 6 January 1975), known as Josico, is a Spanish retired footballer who played as a defensive midfielder, and a current coach.
His 16-year professional career was mainly associated with Las Palmas and Villarreal (six years apiece), and he amassed La Liga totals of 240 games and 13 goals over the course of nine seasons.
Football career
Born in Hellín, Albacete, Josico made his debut in La Liga with Albacete Balompié in the 1995–96 season, immediately after joining from local amateurs Hellín Deportivo. He played in 28 matches (scoring twice), but his team was relegated after five consecutive years in the top level; his first game in the main category of Spanish football occurred on 18 November 1995, as he featured the full 90 minutes in a 0–3 away loss against FC Barcelona.
Josico went on to represent UD Las Palmas for four seasons, joining Villarreal CF for 2002–03 campaign, where he played a major part in the club's domestic and European consolidation: in 2004–05 the player appeared in 29 contests – 28 as a starter – as the Valencian Community side finished third, as well as being the undisputed captain.
Deemed surplus to requirements by Villarreal boss Manuel Pellegrini, Josico joined Fenerbahçe S.K. on 28 August 2008, as the Süper Lig side was coached by former Spain manager Luis Aragonés. After just one season in Turkey, where he was used sparingly, he was released, and quickly signed with one of his first clubs, Las Palmas in the second division, at the same time of a former club mate, Antonio Guayre.
In late May 2011, after having contributed with 25 games for the club's league status preservation, 36-year-old Josico announced his retirement from professional football. He returned to the Canary Islands the following year, being charged with watching the opposing teams.
Josico was appointed Las Palmas' first-team manager on 26 May 2014, replacing fired Sergio Lobera after a 2–3 home loss against Recreativo de Huelva. He still managed to lead the side to the sixth position in the regular season, then ousted Sporting de Gijón 2–0 on aggregate in the top flight promotion playoffs.
On 3 July 2014, Josico was appointed at the helm of the Canarians' reserve team, in Segunda División B.
Honours
Club
- Villarreal
- UEFA Intertoto Cup: 2003, 2004
Country
- Spain U21
- UEFA European Under-21 Championship: 1998