Aitor Martínez (footballer)

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Martínez and the second or maternal family name is Medina.
Aitor Martínez
Personal information
Full name Aitor Martínez Medina
Date of birth (1985-01-10) 10 January 1985 (age 39)
Place of birth Terrassa, Spain
Height 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Position(s) Midfielder
Youth career
1999–2003 Barcelona
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2003–2005 Barcelona C 51 (3)
2005–2006 Conquense 6 (0)
2006–2007 Puertollano 19 (0)
2007–2008 Ceuta 38 (0)
2008–2009 Atlético Ciudad 36 (3)
2009–2010 Ceuta 33 (1)
2010–2011 Roquetas 34 (3)
2011–2012 Ceuta 31 (3)
2012–2013 Sant Andreu 33 (0)
Total 281 (10)
Managerial career
2013–2018 Málaga (youth)
2019 Loreto
2019–2022 Betis (youth)
2022–2023 Betis B
2024 Torre del Mar
2024 Sanluqueño
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Aitor Martínez Medina (born 10 January 1985) is a Spanish retired footballer who played as a midfielder, and a current manager.

Playing career

Known as just Aitor during his playing days, he was born in Terrassa, Barcelona, Catalonia, and represented FC Barcelona as a youth. He made his senior debut with the C-team in Tercera División, before moving to Segunda División B side UB Conquense in 2005.

In January 2006, after being rarely used, Aitor joined CD Puertollano in the fourth tier, helping in their promotion at the end of the season. Roughly one year later, he signed for AD Ceuta also in division three.[1]

In 2008, Aitor agreed to a deal with CF Atlético Ciudad still in the third level, before returning to Ceuta in the following year. On 10 August 2010, he signed for CD Roquetas of the same category,[2] before rejoining Ceuta for a third spell the following 23 July.[3]

On 16 July 2012, Aitor moved to UE Sant Andreu also in the third division.[4] He retired in the following year, aged just 28.

Managerial career

Shortly after retiring, Martínez was named manager of Málaga CF's youth sides. He had a short spell in charge of Segunda Andaluza side UD Loreto in 2019, before joining the structure of Real Betis as manager of the Cadete squad.

In 2020, Martínez was named at the helm of the Juvenil squad,[5] before being promoted to the reserves on 24 June 2022.[6] He left the club on 9 June of the following year, as his contract was due to expire and would not be renewed.[7]

On 7 May 2024, after nearly one year without a club, Martínez was appointed manager of Tercera Federación side UD Torre del Mar, replacing departed Alfonso Vera.[8] He left after missing out promotion in the play-offs, and took over Atlético Sanluqueño CF in Primera Federación on 20 June.[9]

Martínez was sacked by the Atletistas on 29 September 2024, after just six matches.[10]

References

  1. ^ "Aitor, a demostrar que se equivocaron en Puertollano" [Aitor, to show they were wrong at Puertollano] (in Spanish). El Pueblo de Ceuta. 4 October 2007. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
  2. ^ "Aitor, Servando y Kike Lorenzo son las nuevas incorporaciones rojillas" [Aitor, Servando and Kike Lorenzo are the new signings rojillas] (in Spanish). Teleprensa. 10 August 2010. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
  3. ^ "La AD Ceuta se refuerza con el mediocentro Aitor" [AD Ceuta bolster themselves with the central midfielder Aitor] (in Spanish). El Pueblo de Ceuta. 23 July 2011. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
  4. ^ "Aitor Martínez, nou jugador del Sant Andreu" [Aitor Martínez, new player of Sant Andreu] (in Catalan). UE Sant Andreu. 16 July 2012. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
  5. ^ "Entrevista a Aitor Martínez (Real Betis): » Llevar al Juvenil A es un gran reto y responsabilidad»" [Interview to Aitor Martínez (Real Betis): "To lead the Juvenil A is a big goal and a big opportunity"] (in Spanish). Juvenil División de Honor. 23 October 2020. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
  6. ^ "Aitor Martínez, nuevo entrenador del Betis Deportivo" [Aitor Martínez, new manager of Betis Deportivo] (in Spanish). Real Betis. 24 June 2022. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
  7. ^ "Aitor Martínez deja de ser entrenador del Betis Deportivo" [Aitor Martínez ceases to be manager of Betis Deportivo] (in Spanish). Real Betis. 9 June 2023. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
  8. ^ "La UD Torre del Mar cambia de entrenador, Aitor Martínez reemplaza a Alfonso Vera" [UD Torre del Mar change manager, Aitor Martínez replaces Alfonso Vera] (in Spanish). Axarquia Plus. 7 May 2024. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
  9. ^ "Aitor Martínez, nuevo entrenador del Atlético Sanluqueño CF" [Aitor Martínez, new manager of Atlético Sanluqueño CF] (in Spanish). Atlético Sanluqueño CF. 20 June 2024. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
  10. ^ "Aitor Martínez deja de ser entrenador del Atlético Sanluqueño CF" [Aitor Martínez ceases to be manager of Atlético Sanluqueño CF] (in Spanish). Atlético Sanluqueño CF. 29 September 2024. Retrieved 1 October 2024.