Javier Olaizola Rodríguez (born 28 November 1969) is a Spanish former professional footballer who played as a right-back, currently a manager.
Most of his 13-year career was spent with Mallorca, with whom he appeared in 333 competitive matches and won two major titles.
Playing career Born in San Sebastián, Gipuzkoa, Olaizola's first professional club was SD Eibar in his native Basque Country, in the Segunda División. Subsequently, he played two seasons with Real Burgos CF, going on to suffer two consecutive relegations and returning for a second spell with his previous team afterwards.
In 1995, Olaizola signed for RCD Mallorca, immediately becoming an undisputed starter as well as their captain and helping the Balearic Islands side to the 1998 edition of the Supercopa de España against La Liga giants FC Barcelona, as well as a second place in the following year's UEFA Cup Winners' Cup. His only goal in the top flight and as a professional came on 17 December 2000, as he scored a last-minute equaliser at RC Celta de Vigo (2–2).
Coaching career Olaizola totalled only 27 matches in his last two years, due to several injuries and age, and retired aged 34. He then had brief spells as manager, with Mallorca's youth teams and Antiguoko (also a youth club, in the Basque region).
On 6 December 2016, following Fernando Vázquez's dismissal, Olaizola – who was in charge of the reserves – became coach of Mallorca, who now competed in the second tier. He was himself sacked the following 4 April, after his side was seriously threatened with relegation.
Olaizola returned to reserve management on 6 March 2018, taking over Atlético Levante UD of Tercera División. Four months later, having won their group and then promotion on penalties against UD Ibiza in the play-off final, he left.
In June 2019, Olaizola was appointed at Arenas Club de Getxo in the Segunda División B. In summer 2022, after a very short spell with CD Tudelano, he returned to Arenas, now in the Segunda Federación.
Personal life Olaizola's older brother, Julio (19 years his senior), was also a footballer and a defender. He played ten top-flight seasons with Real Sociedad.
Olaizola's son is also named Javier. He represented Mallorca at the senior level as well.
Managerial statistics
+ Managerial record by team and tenure TeamNatFromToRecord Mallorca (caretaker)20 May 201411 July 2014Mallorca B11 July 20146 December 2016 Mallorca6 December 20164 April 2017 Levante B 6 March 20185 July 2018Arenas Getxo13 June 201930 June 2021 Tudelano1 July 202114 October 2021Arenas Getxo1 July 2022May 2023Total—
Honours Mallorca Copa del Rey: 2002–03; runner-up: 1997–98 Supercopa de España: 1998 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup runner-up: 1998–99
References
External links