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Juan Carlos Unzué Labiano (born 22 April 1967) is a Spanish retired footballer who played as a goalkeeper, and the current assistant manager of FC Barcelona.
A complete player with reflexes and agility he represented mostly Sevilla, for which he appeared in nearly 300 official games. He also spent two years with Barcelona.
Unzué played 318 La Liga matches in 17 seasons. After retiring, he went on to work extensively as a goalkeepers' coach.
Playing career
Born in Pamplona, Unzué came through the ranks of hometown club CA Osasuna, but could not break into the first team. Moving to La Liga giants FC Barcelona in 1988 more of the same, as he was barred by legendary Andoni Zubizarreta.
Joining Sevilla FC for 1990–91, Unzué blossomed as a top flight player, rarely missing a game in his first five years. As the Andalusians were relegated at the end of the 1996–97 campaign, he moved to CD Tenerife for a further two seasons.
After two years at Real Oviedo as backup to local Esteban, his input consisting of seven Copa del Rey contests, Unzué returned to his first club in the 2001 summer, being the starter in his debut season and second-choice in his second. He retired from the game in June 2003 at age 36, after having helped the Navarrese reach the last-four in the domestic cup.
Coaching career
Unzué immediately returned to the Camp Nou, as the goalkeeping coach of the Frank Rijkaard-led side. After the Dutchman left, he retained his position under Pep Guardiola.
On 17 June 2010, after five years with Barcelona, Unzué had his first head coach experience, joining Segunda División team CD Numancia. One year later he returned to his previous position, replacing Carles Busquets.
On 21 June 2012, Unzué was presented as Racing de Santander manager. On 13 August, however, he was sacked, and became Luis Enrique's assistant at Celta de Vigo the following 13 June.
Unzué returned to Barcelona on 15 July 2014, remaining as Luis Enrique's assistant.
His son Jesús Unzué (born 1993) is also a footballer and a goalkeeper. He was a member of the Barcelona Juvenil squad which won the youth league and cup in 2011, but was unable to make the breakthrough to the professional level and moved on to local clubs such as CF Gavà and CE Jupiter.
Honours
Club
- Barcelona
- UEFA Cup Winners' Cup: 1988–89
- Copa del Rey: 1989–90
Country
- Spain U20
- FIFA U-20 World Cup: Runner-up 1985