Quick Facts
Biography
Juan Merino Ruiz (born 24 August 1970) is a Spanish retired footballer who played mainly as a central defender, and the current manager of Gimnàstic de Tarragona.
During his 17-year professional career he played solely in Andalusia, with Betis and Recreativo, appearing in more than 200 matches in both the first and second divisions of Spanish football.
Subsequently, Merino went on to work extensively as a manager with the former club (although his first head coach experience arrived with precisely the latter).
Playing career
Born in La Línea de la Concepción, Province of Cádiz, Merino joined Real Betis's first team in 1990, becoming their captain in later years. Out of his twelve years at the club eight were in La Liga, and he appeared in 203 games in that division, scoring two goals and surpassing overall 300 appearances; in the 1996–97 season, he contributed with 36 matches to help to a fourth-place finish.
In 2002–03, staying in Andalusia, Merino joined Recreativo de Huelva. In his first season the side was relegated, regaining top flight status in 2006. After featuring in 23 games in the 2006–07 campaign he retired from football, with more than 500 official matches played – both major levels combined.
Coaching career
Immediately after retiring, Merino rejoined Betis as director of football. He was named assistant coach in 2009, going on to work with two different managers.
In the 2010–11 season, Merino cut ties with Betis and returned to Recre as assistant to Pablo Alfaro – a former Sevilla FC defender – with the club in division two. In mid-October, after only eight games (four draws and four losses), Alfaro was sacked but he stayed with his successor Carlos Ríos, in the same predicament.
On 14 June 2011, Merino was named manager of Xerez CD. He was sacked on 5 December, due to poor results.
On 25 June 2014, after nearly three years without a club, Merino was appointed at the helm of Betis B. On 25 November, after Julio Velázquez's dismissal from the first team, he was named interim manager; he remained in charge for four league matches, achieving as many wins before being replaced by Pepe Mel and returning to his previous duties.
On 11 January 2016, Merino was again appointed caretaker manager at Betis, following Mel's sacking. On 3 February, he was chosen to remain in the position until the end of the season.
On 25 May 2016, after the arrival of new boss Gus Poyet, Merino left Betis. On 28 December, he took over second tier club Gimnàstic de Tarragona in the place of Vicente Moreno.