A long time has passed, but the figure of Marcelino is still remembered and respected in Gijón. An extensive article published in ‘El Comercio’ on 7 May by Manuel Rosety under the title ‘El primer paso de Marcelino’ (Marcelino’s first step) is a good example.
The coach from Careñes spent time at Real Sporting as a player and coach. Gifted with good technique, he grew up in Mareo and was an international with the youth categories of the Spanish national team (he was runner-up in the Under-20 World Cup in 1985). At the age of 20, he made his debut in Sporting’s first team under Novoa.
After retiring prematurely, he soon redirected his professional career towards the bench. It was then that the club of his life crossed his path again. He returned to the club -after a promotion to Segunda B with CD Lealtad- and, after managing Sporting B, he took charge of the first team in the summer of 2003 (backed by ‘Tati’ Valdés).
An unthinkable season
“There was no reason to think about high aims. Not being relegated was enough. However, Marcelino’s Sporting started to give good sensations”, evokes Rosety in the text. “That Sporting under Marcelino, with more limitations than today, was a pleasure to watch. The development of that 2003/04 campaign left the club on the verge of a promotion to the first division, unthinkable months before.
“His strong character and his total involvement on a professional level are so demanding that sometimes he even beats his own assistants. On the other hand, off the field he is a mauve”, describes Rosety in reference to a coach who has already played 773 matches from the bench. And there are still more to come.
