Quick Facts
Biography
Juan Manuel Gómez Sánchez (born 29 May 1981), known as Juanma, is a Spanish former professional footballer who played as a right midfielder.
Football career
Juanma was born in Don Benito, Badajoz. During his early career, he represented Málaga CF, playing with both its first and second teams. In the summer of 2004 he joined Levante UD for four years, making his La Liga debut on 26 September in a 3–4 away loss against Real Zaragoza; he would finish the season with five league goals, but the side was relegated.
After a loan stint with Recreativo de Huelva, Juanma returned to the Valencian Community club, in another relegation-ending campaign. On 6 August 2008 he moved to Real Betis in a 4+1 deal for roughly €1 million, scoring his first goal for the Andalusians in late October against CD Castellón, in a 2–0 away triumph for the Copa del Rey. During the league campaign he netted twice in 27 games, against Valencia CF (2–3 away loss) and Getafe CF (2–2 home draw), but, for the third time in four years, he dropped down a division.
After an unassuming five-month spell at Villarreal CF, 32-year-old Juanma signed with Deportivo Alavés in the 2013 summer, retiring after two Segunda División campaigns and 54 competitive games. He subsequently worked as a youth coach, with CD Ariznabarra.