Periko Alonso

Alonso started working as a manager immediately after retiring, mainly in the Basque Country. In 2000, after an unsuccessful spell at Hércules CF (second division, relegation), he had a chance to coach Real Sociedad but only lasted ten games, after which he retired.

A Spanish international for two years, Alonso represented the country at the 1982 World Cup.

In 1982–83, having retired from the national team after the unsuccessful home World Cup campaign, Alonso joined Barcelona, being used relatively little during most of his spell. He won the league in his final year but only appeared twice, eventually retiring in 1988 with Barça neighbours Sabadell, helping the club achieve promotion from Segunda División in his first season and scoring 12 goals – a career-best – in his second, as the modest Catalans ranked 17th after the first 34 matches, but eventually managed to avoid a drop after finishing third in their relegation group in the second stage.

Born in Tolosa, Gipuzkoa, Alonso played professionally for Real Sociedad, FC Barcelona and CE Sabadell FC. With the first, he was instrumental in back-to-back La Liga conquests (averaging 32 games and five goals in those seasons and not starting only once), and won 19 of his 20 caps for Spain in the process; his debut came on 24 September 1980 in a friendly match with Hungary (2–2), in Budapest.

Miguel Ángel 'Periko' Alonso Oyarbide (born 1 February 1953) is a Spanish former football midfielder and manager.